Robert E. Smith, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor, University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He is the past President of South Carolina Oncology Associates PA and a member of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and a number of other medical organizations. Dr. Smith is active in clinical research and often lectures on oncology.
Brecken Armstrong Kelsey, cancer survivor and former chemotherapy patient who will share her personal strategies for avoiding the cold/flu and infections during her treatment
BACKGROUND:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is concern that this years flu season may be worse than a regular flu season, given the potential impact of the H1N1 virus. In light of this, its especially important that cancer patients and their caregivers take extra precautions to protect themselves. Cancer patients are at a higher risk for both the flu as well as other types of infections due to the cancer itself and chemotherapy which can compromise the immune system. Both viral and bacterial infections in cancer patients can potentially have serious consequences. When a cancer patient develops an infection, it may lead to treatment delays, hospitalizations, and in some cases, death. In fact:
Each year, 60,000 cancer patients are hospitalized for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (a low white blood cell count), and a patient dies every two hours from this complication
White blood cells help the body fight infections
Although the flu is viral, it can potentially have a severe impact on cancer patients above and beyond the general population
Additionally, its also important for caregivers and family members of cancer patients to stay as healthy as possible by adopting some simple measures, including:
Frequent hand washing
Appropriate use of antibiotics (i.e., if you have a cold or flu, antibiotics wont work for you)
Appropriate vaccinations for cancer patients, caregivers and family members
For cancer patients, notify your doctor immediately if you experience a fever (temperature higher than 100 F or 38 C)
Because cancer patients are at higher risk for serious complications from colds/flus and bacterial infections, it is important to talk to a physician about ways to prevent and manage infections
