We must restrict the use of antibiotics so that we can continue to treat people with serious illnesses, patients who undergo cancer treatment or major surgical procedures that involve a risk of infection. Cancer patients are especially vulnerable to infection during treatment.
Antibiotics must be reserved for patients who are seriously ill, and must be used only by patients who really need them. This will ensure that future generations also have medicines that are effective against infections.
How surveillance can protect cancer treatment
Globally
Provide early warnings of emerging threat and data to identify and act on long-term trends.
Nationally
Guide policy and ensure appropriate and timely public health interventions.
Locally
Allow healthcare professionals to make better informed clinical decisions to ensure better patient outcomes.
Source: Wellcome trust, HM Governement
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Alerted to this crisis, in May 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a global action plan on antimicrobial resistance with five major objectives: Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance (who.int). This urges all countries to act now!
You can also visit WHO’s fact sheet on antibiotic resistance (who.int)
How can the public contribute to the fight against antibiotic resistance?
Follow this simple advice, and you will do something concrete for cancer patients, both now and in the future.
- Antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary. Use an antibiotic that is only effective against the specific type of bacteria you are infected with.
- Follow your doctor’s advice and recommendations, and complete the antibiotic treatment exactly as prescribed. Never give or share your antibiotics with others.
- Never demand antibiotics for a sore throat, a cold or the flu. Antibiotics have no effect on these conditions.
- The more antibiotic treatments you have, the greater the risk of developing resistant bacteria. Postpone the use of antibiotics until you really need this type of treatment.
- It is very important to prevent infection. Ensure proper hand hygiene, especially abroad, and in contact with patients.
- Think about the risk of infection when travelling abroad, both as a tourist or for treatment. The risk of infection with resistant bacteria is much greater outside the Nordic countries, both in and outside healthcare institutions.
- Antibiotic resistance can be prevented through immunization. It is important for both you and others that you follow the vaccination programmes.
Do you have any questions?
Antimicrobial resistance and its devastating consequences for cancer treatment have attracted far too little attention. If we do nothing, we risk having to witness that important progress made in cancer treatment can be set back decades. Please do not hesitate to contact us.