initiative 
Every year on 4 February, since 2000, people around the world have commemorated World Cancer Day to raise awareness about this disease and move forward in preventing and controlling it.
This year’s campaign focuses on dismissing misconceptions and debunking myths, with the aim of getting people more committed to the cause and decreasing the impact of this disease through early detection.
According to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology, more than 100,000 people died of cancer in Spain in 2012, a rate of 98.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and a 10.2% risk of dying of cancer before the age of 75.
Regarding oral health, chronic periodontitis is an illness that may increase the risk of head and neck cancer1,2, which is where the work of oral-health professionals becomes even more important. For all of this, it is key to prevent periodontal diseases and prescribe appropriate treatment to maintain proper oral hygiene and avoid further risk.
On this day, we’re joining the fight against cancer and hope you do too!
- Linden GJ, Herzberg MC. Periodontitis and systemic diseases: a record of discussions of working group 4 of the Joint EFP/AAP Workshop on Periodontitis and Systemic Diseases. J Periodontol 2013;84(4 Suppl.):S20-S23
- Yao SG, Fine JB. Periodontitis and Cancer…A Link? A Review of the Recent Literature. Compend Contin Educ Dent 2010 Jul-Aug; 31(6):436-42