Health Tip: Cancer Treatment Makes Foodborne Illness a Bigger Concern

By Diana Kohnle, HealthDay Reporter

(HealthDay News) -- People being treated for cancer are more vulnerable to foodborne illness and its serious complications.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration explains why:

• Radiation, chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can weaken your immune system. Cancer itself also may compromise your immune system.


• A weaker immune system means you are more susceptible to infection, including foodborne illness.


• Foodborne infection may extend your illness, potentially leading to complications and hospitalization.

To avoid contracting a foodborne illness, you need to be careful when handling, preparing and eating foods, the FDA says.

Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service - if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.

from U.S. News - Health http://ift.tt/1IjIueV