Challenges to tumors go through a treatment process, which must be determined on a case-by-case basis by a specialist. However, this cannot go beyond protecting against infectious diseases that can alter the health trajectory of cancer sufferers, either directly or through complications associated with the pathological condition. In this case, there are five vaccinations that should not be missed in the process of preventing cancer sufferers: anti-pneumococcal, anti-flu, anti-Herpes Zoster, anti-HPV, and anti-Covid-19. This was reported by experts gathered at the Vaccination of Oncology Patients conference held at the Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania. The awareness initiative (which includes various tools) was promoted by the AIOM Foundation (Italian Association of Medical Oncology) as part of a tour of the 10 Regions where meetings were organized with medical oncologists, patient associations and other figures from the multidisciplinary oncology team.
The situation in Sicily
Every year in Sicily, tumors cause more than 26 thousand new diagnoses. They were then responsible for 36 thousand hospital admissions. But fortunately survival rates are improving, as they are across the peninsula. “Cancer is a disease that is increasingly treatable and curable – he said Giuseppa ScandurraDirector of the Medical Oncology Unit at Cannizzaro hospital Catania -. Maintaining the patient’s health in a 360-degree manner is important and prevention of infectious diseases allows us to avoid delays or interruptions in active oncological treatment. Some pathogens can be very dangerous for people who already have cancer. In fact, the pathology and its subsequent treatment tend to disrupt the proper functioning of our immune system”. Vaccination, also taking into account the decrease in the immune response associated with the pathology and in some cases also with the antineoplastic therapy itself, is therefore a fundamental tool for the prevention of complications that can put a heavy burden on the patient’s health and quality of life.
A “simpler” vaccination.
A recommendation comes from experts. It is important that vaccination is performed at the same referral facility for oncology care. And most importantly, we need to combat the so-called “vaccination hesitancy” that may accompany the patient himself or his family members. “This is an unjustified fear because scientific studies have shown the total safety of immunization and the absence of intervention in therapy – continued Scandurra.” Protection from Herpes zoster seems important considering that this pathology can cause complications such as skin spread, myocarditis, ulcers and pancreatitis: “for several years recombinant vaccines have been available that are very suitable for people affected by solid neoplasms and undergoing various types of oncological treatment – remember Carmelo IacobelloDirector of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Cannizzaro Hospital Catania”. Experts also point out that the impact of flu can be very negative and cause acute respiratory distress syndrome or pneumonia. “Finally, immunization should always be recommended for both patients and their caregivers, and the same is true with Covid-19 – concludes Iacobello. Despite its lower spread rate, this virus still poses a danger that should not be underestimated.”
