Participation of PAMEMMAZI in the “Psychological support for cancer patients and their families” panel discussion organized by the Hellenic Cancer Society – Acharnon – Fylis Branch

In view of World Cancer Day 2019, we had the honor to participate in the panel discussion entitled “Psychological support for cancer patients and their families”, organized by the Hellenic Cancer Society – Acharnon – Fylis branch. The event was held in the assembly hall of the Acharnes city hall on 3 February, 2019.

Distinguished speakers Mr. Giannis Ntinos, Clinical psychologist and Director of the Center for Support, Education and Research in Psycho-social Oncology, Mrs. Evi Ntali, Military psychologist and Mrs. Eva Grigoriadou, Art therapist at PAMEMMAZI, presented way in which patients and their families can receive psychological support during treatment.

They touched upon the psychosomatic changes that occur after a cancer diagnosis and the need for psychological care, evident in patients’ testimonials. Mrs. Grigoriadou went on to present PAMEMMAZI’s numerous initiatives, with a specific focus on PAMEMMAZI’s hospital-based creative and meaningful activities and complementary therapies that aim to provide patients and their caregivers with psycho-social support, informative sessions about cancer-related issues and recreation during their hospital stay. According to Mrs. Grigoriadou these activities help patients “express themselves, communicate with each other and get informed” about issues that may enhance their physical and mental well being with the ultimate goal of “improving their quality of life” during treatment.

We wish to thank Mr. Kazanas, President of the Acharnes – Fylis Branch of the Hellenic Cancer Society for his decision to include us in the discussion on how to address psychological challenges that cancer patients, their families and their caretakers are often faced with during and after treatment.