DOES THE ONCOLOGY LAW WORK FOR ORAL CANCER?/A LEI ONCOLOGICA FUNCIONA PARA O CANCER DE BOCA?/?FUNCIONA LA LEY ONCOLOGICA PARA EL CANCER DE BOCA?

Each year, approximately 6.4 million people worldwide are diagnosed with a malignant tumor, and oral cancer stands out as one of the most prevalent, accounting for 10% of these cases. Early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment, but the socioeconomic and cultural realities of patients are often neglected by health services, limiting access to and quality of care. This qualitative documentary study seeks to understand the various dimensions of oral cancer, exploring the individual and social representations of the disease and how they influence public perception and access to health services. Based on this analysis, it proposes the formulation, monitoring, and evaluation of public policies aimed at expanding access to oral health services, focusing on vulnerable populations with less access to information and medical follow-up; combating the stigma associated with the disease by demystifying beliefs and stereotypes that hinder the seeking of help; promoting health education by raising public awareness about the risks, symptoms, and prevention methods of oral cancer; strengthening primary health care by training professionals for early diagnosis and proper patient follow-up; and humanizing care by ensuring a welcoming environment that is sensitive to the physical, emotional, and social needs of patients. By addressing the various dimensions of oral cancer, this study contributes to the construction of a more equitable and effective health system, capable of guaranteeing the right to health and a dignified life for all. Keywords: Oral cancer; public policy; oral lesions; diagnosis. A cada ano, cerca de 6,4 milhoes de pessoas no mundo recebem o diagnostico de um tumor maligno, e o cancer de boca se destaca como um dos mais prevalentes, respondendo por 10% desses casos. O diagnostico precoce e crucial para o sucesso do tratamento, mas as realidades socioeconomicas e culturais dos pacientes muitas vezes sao negligenciadas pelos servicos de saude, limitando o acesso e a qualidade do atendimento. Este estudo documental qualitativo busca compreender as diversas dimensoes do cancer de boca, explorando as representacoes individuais e sociais da doenca e como elas influenciam a percepcao da populacao e o acesso aos servicos de saude. A partir dessa analise, propoe-se a formulacao, o monitoramento e a avaliacao de politicas publicas que visem: Ampliar o acesso a servicos de saude bucal, focando em populacoes vulneraveis e com menor acesso a informacao e acompan