CDC Launches Initiative to Prevent Infections among Cancer Patients || NCI Cancer Bulletin for November 1, 2011 - National Cancer Institute

 

CDC Launches Initiative to Prevent Infections among Cancer Patients

Some cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have a very low white blood cell count, called neutropenia, which leaves them less able to fight infections. As a result, these patients are at increased risk of serious infections. In patients with neutropenia, infections that would ordinarily be minor can become life-threatening.
To help cancer patients and doctors become aware of—and lower—the risk of infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have launched a new website. The website features questionnaires for patients and caregivers about the risk of neutropenia, offers tips for preventing infection, highlights the signs and symptoms of an infection, and offers advice on what patients should do if they think they might have an infection.
NCI Cancer Bulletin for November 1, 2011 - National Cancer Institute