It is estimated that each year 60,000 cancer patients are hospitalized for chemotherapy-related infections. Because an infection in people with cancer is an emergency, CDC has a comprehensive infection prevention program for healthcare providers, patients and their caregivers. The program, Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients, provides information, action steps, and tools to help reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening infections during chemotherapy.

Read one of the newest additions to the program – an article for patients:
Yahoo! Health, Chemotherapy and Infection – What you should know.

Visit the CDC’s website for these program resources for:

· Healthcare providers
A basic infection control and prevention plan for outpatient oncology settings

· Patients and caregivers
A special interactive website to help assess the patient risk and tips for infection prevention at PreventCancerInfections.org

· Everyone
Educational resources include posters, signs, brochures, videos, web resources, and commentary.