Women’s health Archives

January – Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

January is internationally dedicated to raising awareness about cervical cancer. Known as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, it aims to highlight the importance of prevention, early detection, and vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is responsible for nearly all cases of the disease.

Cervical cancer remains a major public health issue worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 660,000 new cases are diagnosed globally each year, and more than 350,000 women lose their lives to the disease. It is among the most common cancers affecting women, particularly in regions where access to preventive screening and vaccination is limited. At the same time, it is one of the few cancers that can largely be prevented through organized prevention and early detection programmes.

In Greece, available data indicate that around 700 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually, while more than 280 deaths are attributed to the disease each year. The estimated incidence is approximately 8 cases per 100,000 women. Although this places Greece close to the European average, it also highlights the need for further improvement in prevention and early diagnosis.

Cervical cancer is closely linked to chronic infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus transmitted mainly through sexual contact.

HPV vaccination, combined with regular gynaecological screening through Pap tests and HPV tests, can significantly reduce the development of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. In this context, the World Health Organization has set the goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030, through high vaccination coverage, universal screening, and timely treatment.

January serves as an important reminder that information and prevention save lives. Open discussion around women’s health, free from fear and stigma, empowers women to take care of themselves and to claim prevention as a fundamental right.

Special emphasis should be placed on the systematic education of younger generations, as prevention begins long before any symptoms appear. Access to reliable information, preventive screening services, and vaccination programmes is a key factor in reducing health inequalities and protecting future generations.

At KAPA3, we believe that information and prevention are core pillars of care and empowerment. Through the dissemination of reliable information and the support of initiatives that promote public health, we stand alongside every woman who needs knowledge, prevention, and timely care.

Because cervical cancer can be prevented, we encourage everyone to take action. Give a meaningful gift to the women you care about: daughters, sisters, mothers, friends, partners, spouses. Talk openly about women’s health, share information, support initiatives, challenge taboos, and promote early diagnostic screening.

Information and open dialogue are the strongest tools we have.

Sources:

World Health Organization (WHO)
Cervical cancer – Fact sheet

WHO – Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC / WHO)
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

ICO / IARC HPV Information Centre – Greece Factsheet

Ministry of Health – National Immunization Programme

Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY)
HPV and cervical cancer

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

This Year’s Good-Luck Charm (2026): A Symbol of Self-Care

The Good Luck Charm of the Year (2026) for Kapa3: The Crown

A Symbol of Self-Care

This year’s good luck charm is dedicated to self-care — a small, daily reminder of the deep importance of tending to ourselves with gentleness, respect, and consistency.
In a time when everyday life becomes increasingly demanding, this charm reminds us that self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity.

It symbolizes all those small acts that keep us standing: the pause, the breath, the moment of rest; the warm embrace we offer ourselves. The choice to listen to our bodies, to acknowledge our limits, and to prioritize our health, joy, and inner balance.

And it is precisely this “pause” that led us to our good-luck charm for 2026: the Crown — a symbol that carries far more than what meets the eye.

In music, the crown (fermata) is the pause held by the performer —
the moment of emphasis before the melody continues.
So it is with every struggle: it requires breaths, pauses, small breaks — not to stop, but to continue.

A crown is also a circle. And a circle means you are not alone; around you are people, care, support — a circle that holds you.

If there were a title of honor for those who fight cancer, it would be a crown. Not as a symbol of power, but as a recognition of dignity.

Cancer can sometimes feel like a thorny wreath — heavy, painful, relentless.
And yet, depending on how we choose to face it, it can transform into a wreath of victory: the victory of persistence, endurance, return — and above all, the victory of effort.

Because behind every crown lies a story: of a parent, a friend, a child, a partner, someone who is fighting or supporting someone who fights.

That is why the crown is not just a piece of jewelry — it is a message of strength:

It is not what happens to us that defines us —
but how we choose to face it.

It reminds us that when we care for ourselves, we can truly care for others. That strength, well-being, and kindness begin within us.

May this year’s charm be a small talisman accompanying us each day, inspiring us to make space for what nourishes us, to embrace our vulnerability, and to celebrate our worth.

For a year filled with more care, more peace, and more love — beginning with ourselves.

Let’s fill our days with small acts that make a difference.
Let’s uplift one another.
Let’s turn self-care into a habit.

And for all of us at Kapa3, the invitation is simple: To weave self-care into our everyday lives.

Join the #kapa3gouri Self-Care Challenge

Inspired by this year’s charm — dedicated to self-care — we invite you to join the #kapa3gouri Self-Care Challenge, a collective action that brings us together through moments of care, calm, and mindfulness.

How the challenge works:

Take one small self-care action during your day.
It can be something simple: a walk, a breathing break, a warm cup of tea, a few minutes away from screens, journaling your thoughts, a hug you needed.
Capture a photo or write a few words that reflect that moment.
Share it on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #kapa3gouri.
Tag two friends to keep the chain of self-care going.

Our goal is not the “perfect” image — but the daily reminder that we deserve time, space, and care. Each post becomes a small mosaic of tenderness toward ourselves.
A collective message that wellbeing begins within.

For 2026, choose the Crown — as a symbol of hope, strength, and dignity.
Wear it. Offer it. Share its power.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

The Kapa3 Team

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – 25 November

November 25 is recognized as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a day that reminds us that gender-based violence remains a serious and persistent social problem. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness, promote prevention, support survivors, and foster a society where equality and respect are fundamental values.

According to the latest UN data, approximately one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. In Greece, official statistics indicate that a significant proportion of women have experienced domestic violence, and reports remain high. Economic crises and the pandemic have further increased social pressures, contributing to a rise in incidents.

Violence against women is not limited to physical or sexual abuse. It also includes psychological, economic, and social forms of violence, which are often invisible but leave deep and long-lasting effects on women’s health, self-esteem, and daily lives. Prevention, early recognition, and systematic support for survivors are critical.

Gender-based violence does not discriminate. It affects women of all ages and social groups, including trans women, who often face additional barriers in accessing safety, care, and support.

Research shows a bidirectional link between violence against women and cancer. Violence can increase cancer risk through chronic stress, unhealthy behaviors, or delays in preventive screenings. At the same time, a cancer diagnosis can make a woman more vulnerable to abuse, as she may rely on the perpetrator for daily needs, transportation, medication, or financial support. In some cases, the disease itself can be used as a tool for psychological pressure or control.

No woman should live in fear. It is essential for every woman to know that she is not at fault and does not need to face violence alone. Help is available — from support lines, shelters, and specialized centers, to people in her close environment who can offer guidance. If we perceive that a woman around us is at risk, we have a responsibility to speak up, stand by her, and encourage her to seek help. Silence perpetuates the cycle of violence; our voice can break it.

If you or a woman nearby needs immediate help, SOS Line 15900 operates 24/7 with trained professionals and can guide you to urgent services or safe shelters. For immediate intervention, call 100 (or send an SMS with your name, address, and brief description). Additionally, Counseling Centers and Shelters across Greece offer free psychosocial and legal support.

At Kapa3, we deeply believe that every woman deserves to feel safe, respected, and empowered. We support prevention, awareness, and empowerment initiatives, encouraging every woman to take the first step toward protection. Change begins when no one is left alone. Every conversation, every act of solidarity, contributes to building a society free from violence.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women reminds us that change requires awareness, education, and collective action. Violence is not a private matter — it is a social issue that needs everyone’s involvement, so that no woman fears seeking help.

Sources:

United Nations

European Institute for Gender Equality – Violence Against Women

World Health Organization

Violence against women increases cancer diagnoses: Results from a meta-analytic review

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

17/11, Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action

Today is dedicated to a goal that, until recently, seemed almost impossible: the complete elimination of cervical cancer.

This is the only cancer that can be almost entirely prevented, thanks to HPV vaccination and regular screening.

This day was internationally established following the World Health Organization’s initiative in 2020 and was officially recognized in 2025 by the World Health Assembly as the “World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day.” It reminds us that awareness and access to healthcare save lives—and that no woman should be lost to a cancer that can be prevented.

Key Statistics

Cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. Every year, hundreds of thousands of new cases are diagnosed, and according to the latest WHO data, approximately 660,000 new cases and nearly 350,000 deaths were recorded in 2022.

In Europe, there has been a steady decline thanks to screening and vaccination programs, but inequalities between countries persist. Despite significant international progress, disparities remain: in many regions, access to HPV vaccination is not universal, and organized population screening programs do not exist. This means that many women do not have the same opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment, leading to much higher mortality in lower-income countries.

Situation in Greece

In Greece, according to ICO/IARC data, about 697 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, while approximately 282 die from the disease. Significant progress has been made, with the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the National Vaccination Program and the development of organized screening actions. Still, awareness remains the key tool to increase women’s participation in Pap and HPV tests.

In this context, it is worth remembering the Greek doctor Georgios Papanikolaou, the scientist who gave his name to the Pap test and paved the way for the worldwide reduction in cervical cancer mortality. His contribution is one of the most significant in the history of preventive medicine.

What We Can Do

In Kapa3, we firmly believe, that today is not just a reminder. It is a call for all of us to take a step: to talk to the women around us. To break the silence, the fear, and the stigma. Let’s celebrate Cervical Cancer Elimination Day by speaking with friends, daughters, mothers, sisters—by reaching out to the women in our lives and promoting prevention.

Through awareness, prevention, and equitable access to healthcare services, cervical cancer can truly become a thing of the past. Every step in this direction is a victory for all.