Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm derived from the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract, accounting for 90% of head and neck carcinomas. The importance of this type of carcinoma is given not only by its location, with high risk of compromise of critical neurovascular structures, but also by increase in its incidence, especially in relation to oropharyngeal carcinoma since the 1990s, attributed to increased prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV). This disease has a high associated morbidity and mortality both in its natural history and in relation to definitive treatment, so prevention is important. Therefore, this article present the current prevalence and incidence of CECyC, in addition to discussing its significance and importance in prevention of disease. A review of databases in PubMed, Scielo and Scopus was carried out, using as inclusion criteria those articles in English and Spanish that evaluated epidemiology and prevention in head and neck cancer.