World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW)

What is the difference between antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic resistance?

While antimicrobial resistance refers to all microbes that resist treatments designed to destroy them. Antibiotic resistance specifically deals with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

What does AMR have to do with cancer?

As many as 1 in 5 cancer patients undergoing treatment are hospitalised due to infection and antibiotics are the main line of defence. In fact, infection is the second leading cause of death in patients with cancer. 

How is UICC engaging with World AMR Awareness Week?

• The new AMR Control Supplement was launched at the World Cancer Congress 2022, emphasizing the impact of AMR on cancer care outcomes.
• Cary Adams, UICC’s CEO speaks with Professor Dame Sally Davies, UK Special Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance and former Chief Medical Officer for England on the "Let's Talk Cancer" Podcast.
• A number of articles and blogs will be promoted on how cancer care is affected by AMR, the work of an AMR taskforce of experts from within the cancer and infectious diseases communities, and AMR benchmarking, which looks at how pharmaceutical companies are tackling this crisis.
• UICC organises a Virtual Dialogue on 16 November at 3pm CEST in collaboration with the Norwegian Cancer Society and ReAct. Find out more and sign up here.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to global human health. The threat is particularly concerning for cancer patients. #AMR @uicc 

Cancer care is highly affected by #AMR. As many as 1 in 5 #cancer patients undergoing treatment are hospitalised due to infection, and #antibiotics are the main line of defence. @uicc 

The significant progress made in successfully treating many common cancers is being undermined by the growing threat of #AMR as cancer patients are up to 2 times more likely to die from a fatal infection than those who do not have cancer. @uicc 

By 2050, ten million people could die as a direct result of drug-resistant infections and cost a cumulative $100 trillion of economic output – if we don’t act now. @uicc #AMR 

Drug resistance is one of the most serious health threats facing humanity. By 2050 it could cause 10 million deaths per year and cost a cumulative $100 trillion in economic output - if we don’t act now. @uicc #AMR 

What can you do to prevent antimicrobial resistance?  

• Only use antibiotics prescribed by a doctor 
• Complete your treatment 
• Never share or use leftover antibiotics 
• Prevent infections with good hygiene, safe sex and vaccinations 

#AMR @uicc