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New survey shows need to address ca-related infections

July 23, 2009
By Ronald Piana
Publication
Article
Oncology NEWS InternationalOncology NEWS International Vol 18 No 7
Volume 18
Issue 7

A recently released Amgen-supported survey conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc., shows that a majority of U.S. oncologists and infectious disease specialists are concerned about the rising incidence of infection among cancer patients. The data indicate another problematic issue: An increase in antibiotic resistance among immunosuppressed cancer patients.

ABSTRACT: Infectious disease specialists stated that antibiotics are effective at minimizing the risk of infection, but oncologists claimed that antibiotics are overused.

A recently released Amgen-supported survey conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc., shows that a majority of U.S. oncologists and infectious disease specialists are concerned about the rising incidence of infection among cancer patients. The data indicate another problematic issue: An increase in antibiotic resistance among immunosuppressed cancer patients.

Responding to this growing clinical problem, Amgen has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control Foundation and CDC to launch a three-year initiative to help improve infection control in the cancer patient population.

The survey included interviews with 430 cancer patients undergoing chemo (currently or within past 12 months), 150 oncologists, and 151 infectious disease specialists. The most commonly reported infection by both groups of doctors was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); 96% of infectious disease specialists and 79% of oncologists found a marked increase in MRSA in cancer patients over the past five years (see “Prophylaxis fends off life-threatening invasive fungal infections,” April 2009, page 12).

Cancer patients unaware of risk
Interestingly, over half of infectious disease specialists said that antibiotics are effective at minimizing the risk of infection while more than half of the surveyed oncologists said that antibiotics are overused. An alarming number of cancer patients were unaware that they were at higher risk for infection and about 25% believed interrupting treatment, or lowering chemo dosage due to infection, was not a serious issue. The bottom line: These data showed that more than 60% of the patients had one or more infections and almost half of the patients were hospitalized (average, nine days) and had their cancer treatment disrupted.

The Amgen-CDC program will include, among other things, the development of evidence-based curricula for healthcare providers and an interactive online education tool for patients on what to expect from treatment and how to prevent and manage infection during their therapy.

Articles in this issue

Letrozole appears less detrimental than tamoxifen to cognitive function in breast ca
Accelerated whole-breast irradiation does more with less after lumpectomy
RIBBON-1 results bolster bevacizumab as add-on to standard Rx for metastatic breast cancer
PET/CT Indicates if Early Neoadjuvant Rx is Making the Grade in Sarcoma Patients
Less is more when it comes to serial CA125 testing in ovarian cancer
Treatment varies widely in chronic myeloid leukemia
Should expectant management serve as the primary treatment option in prostate cancer?
Oncology takes blame for rising healthcare cost
Healthcare advocates call for universal coverage, acknowledge challenges
NSABP chair admits ‘failure’ in C-08 trial, denies defeat
Gemcitabine, capecitabine regimens equal in breast ca mets
Study ties survival to inflammatory markers in breast cancer
Canadians rally for national standards for breast ca testing
Trio of genes plays role in breast ca mets to brain
Micromet BiTE antibody eliminates leukemia cells

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