Greece
Supportive Care Around the Globe

1st Congress of the Hellenic Association of Supportive Care of the Oral Cavity in Cancer - HASCOCC. February 29 - March 2 2008 , Athens, Greece

Some of the actions of HASCOCC are:
 
A.On the education of health professionals and patients and on the promotion of the concept of supportive care in cancer.
1. In collaboration with the Dental Oncology Unit: seminars to the dentists are conducted twice a year.
2. In collaboration with the Athens Dental Association and the School of Dentistry: Scientific Conference to the Dentists was organized, 28 April 2007. About 500 dentists attended.
3. In collaboration with the Anticancer Societies of Greece, 29 April 2007: a clinical seminar to Oncologists was conducted. About 70 Oncologists attended.
4. Disdinguished speakers from USA have been invited, Professors Stephen  Sonis, Douglas Peterson, Cesar Migliorati.
5. A leaflet to the cancer patient was edited.
6. A two-day scientific meeting is being planned for next year, 2008.

B. Research, in collaboration with the Dental Oncology Unit.
1. A project on the incidence of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis, before the initiation of the administration of the drug has been initiated.
2. An investigation of the pathobiology of radiation mucositis is being conducted.
3. Participation in the Burden of Illness Study of Mucositis, chaired by Drs. Sonis, Keefe, Elting. Five Athens Hospitals participate.
4. A questionnaire to Oncologists was distributed highlighting the concept of oral health-related quality of life in cancer.

Ourania Nicolatou-Galitis, DDS, MS, DrDent, Associate Professor of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, Responsible of the Dental Oncology Unit, School of Dentistry, University of Athens, Greece, serves as the President of HASCOCC.