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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): a rising threat to cancer treatment
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Antimicrobial resistance, also known as AMR or drug resistance, is among the top 10 public health threats facing humanity, according to the World Health Organization.
Antimicrobial resistance happens when the medicines, including antiotics, are no longer able to fight infections from bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites.
For cancer patients, the situation is particularly concerning. They have particularly weak immune systems due to the cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, they are receiving and are therefore more prone to infections. As many as 1 in 5 cancer patients undergoing treatment are hospitalised due to infection. Antibiotics are critical to treat them.
Moreover, the growth of drug-resistant bacteria is undermining the key advances that have been made in surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapies, as treatment is delayed or stopped to treat rising infections.
Malin Grape is Sweden’s – and the world’s – first Ambassador on AMR, working to counteract AMR and its consequences in the EU and internationally. She joins us for this episode of “Let’s Talk Cancer” ahead of the upcoming UN high-level meeting in September on AMR.
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