Seasonal Flu Resource Center Blog
What Should Cancer Patients Know About the Flu?
October is recognized annually as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month, national public service organizations such as The American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® work tirelessly to promote information on breast cancer awareness and prevention.
October also marks the time of year when influenza starts to become active and is the best time for people to receive their influenza vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age six months and older receives a flu shot, especially people that are at high risk of developing flu-related complications. This includes people who have immune system problems caused either by disease (e.g. breast cancer or lymphoma) or by medication (e.g., chemotherapy or radiation therapy)[1]
What else is important for cancer patients and survivors to know about the flu this season? Below is valuable information from The American Cancer Society specific to cancer patients and the flu.
- First, and perhaps the most sobering, is that both cancer patients and survivors are more likely to have serious problems from the flu, resulting in hospitalization or even death. While no one knows for sure if cancer patients and survivors are at greater risk for being infected with either H1N1 or seasonal flu, they are at higher risk for having serious problems from the flu. Therefore, even if cancer patients are at the same risk of getting the flu, once they contract either type of flu, they are at higher risk of complications.
- Second, if you or a loved one has had cancer in the past, there is a greater risk for having serious complications from the flu, even if you are now cancer-free.
- Third, the flu shot is recommended for most people with cancer. However, many people with cancer worry that the vaccine will make them sick or cause a reaction with other medicines they are taking. Talk to your doctor about this — he or she knows your situation best and can tell you if you should get the shot and when is the best time to get it.
- Finally, people with cancer should get the injectable flu shot and not the nasal spray vaccine. The flu shot is made from dead or inactive viruses, so it cannot make you sick. [2] The nasal spray vaccine is made from a live attenuated virus, and is currently not advised for high risk individuals.
To find a location near you that is offering flu shots, visit info.findaflushot.com.
Don’t forget to remind your friends and loved ones to get their flu vaccine this season. Send them a virtual card to remind them to get a flu shot.
Maxim Health Systems also provides frequent flu updates. Stay current by reading our blog or subscribing to our RSS feed.
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm
[2] http://info.findaflushot.com/blog/this-years-flu-shot-composed-of-multiple-strains-as-always
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