For a person suffering from cancer and its treatment process, using up any of their weakened immune system resources to combat illnesses is nothing short of the last option. Though it is saddening, cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy weaken the immune system which already is fighting against cancer and the best option that patients can take is to use some measures to prevent other infections even if they acquire something else. The flu vaccine remains a primary prevention measure as it is advised by the healthcare professionals annually.

Cancer patients are also the ones of highest risk incidence of complications of flu virus among those recovering as well. Here's why getting a flu shot each year should be a top priority:

Cancer Patients Have Higher Flu Risk

Along with the weakening of the entire body by the cancer itself, oncology patients have a highly increased risk of acquiring the flu and a similar risk of complications due to chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplants, and other procedures. The common cold is also highly contagious to them, and they may be sick for a longer period than the others.

The Flu Can Be Deadly

For healthy people, a flu is usually gone within a few weeks; but those who have a suppressed immune system, like cancer patients, may have higher risk from the flu. It will manifest as pneumonia in a higher number of patients, as well as respiratory failure or life-threatening complications. According to findings, flu-infected patients who have been cancer patients and have ended up in the hospital have an increase in mortality rate, from 1% to 10%.

Flu Delays Cancer Treatment

Quite a few cancer patients who happen to catch influenza usually wind up postponing their crucial cancer treatments like chemotherapy alongside the aim of not having additional immune suppression and as a side effect. This provides a chance for the disease to propagate, which could complicate the treatment course longer. With the flu vaccine, you don't have to worry about delays because of the flu.

Reduces Symptom Severity

Although no vaccine loses effectiveness completely, flu shots have proven all these years to do amazing work by considerably reducing severity and duration of the flu if fall ill with cancer. Then serious cases which result in fewer complications, require less treatment and ultimately better outcome.

Protects During Higher Risk Periods

The best cancer hospital in Bangalore opines that Cancer patients are mostly vulnerable to infections and complicated cases in terms of immunity during chemotherapy regimens. The high-exposure time for the flu happens to fall on winter months very often, making the vaccination even more urgent in this case.

Added Protection for Caregivers

Cancer patients are not the only ones who are required to have their flu shot done annually. Their families and closest friends, anyone in fact that might function as caregivers should also be vaccinated yearly. It is their job to congregate around the patient and defend him/her in the same manner a ring of warriors would protect their chief in the middle ages.

The Flu Shot is Safe for Cancer Patients

Certain cancer patients might fear the event that the flu vaccine starts to fight their immune system as well as interact with ongoing health care procedures. But, peer-reviewed research shows flu shot is safe even in those cycles when chemotherapy or another medication is being administered

The Best Time to Get Vaccinated

It is in most cases suggested to start the patients of cancer upon receiving flu vaccine if two weeks before this cycle of cancer care is available. As a result of taking this flu shot, the body now has enough time to develop protection by building up the antibodies.

The best cancer hospital in Hyderabad opines that Cancer patients may experience a compromised immune response as its strength is curtailed but, despite this, there is a significant level of protection and benefits from having been vaccinated which if compared to not being, is apparent enough. Every little bit helps!

Besides the flu immunization, flu shots, one should make every effort to avoid the flu by washing hands frequently, staying away from the crowd during peak flu season and requesting all the people to stay at home if they are sick. However, obtaining the flu shot each year stands among the most effective and influential measures of can patients.

The CDC however states that the flu shots may keep the general population from contracting the flu at about 40-60% level with the ones for cancer patients setting in about 70%. In other terms, it's a great asset in preventing those complications from occurring, preventing patients' cells affected by radiotherapy from being damaged, and ensuring health outcomes.

The truth is that the struggle with cancer and anti-cancer interventions is a difficult reality to face. The burden of housework does not help; if you get the flu on top of that is just unbearable. Taking the flu vaccine ensures that your immune system stays healthy and gives you some extra breathing space in this time of limited resources and excessive challenges. That's why it is highly recommended to take the flu shot every single year to avoid making your disease worse, or even worse — to prevent any influenza complications from happening. For cancer patients it can simply ma bbe lifesaving.