Breadcrumb What we do | Areas of focus Antimicrobial resistance and its impact on cancer care World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is marked from 18-24 November every year to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance. Go to section Theme More on AMR UICC's actions during WAAW Social media material Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) develop the ability to continue to grow, even when they are exposed to antimicrobial medicines that are meant to kill them or limit their growth (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics). As a result, the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spreading to others. AMR is one of the most serious health threats facing humanity. It could cause 10 million deaths per year and an overall cost of $100 trillion to the global economy by 2050. Formerly called World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, the name was changed this year to World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW), it is celebrated from 18-24 November every year to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance. The theme remains the same for 2023 and is 'Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together'. It encourages all sectors to use antimicrobials prudently, to work together and to strengthen preventive measures addressing AMR. Official WHO Campaign page for 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. Find out more about AMR and its impact on cancer care 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. The role of UICC and its members on AMR UICC Podcasts on antimicrobial resistance What are key messages to share? UICC has prepared ready-made social media messages and posts to help our members and the cancer community raise awareness during World AMR Awareness Week. WAAW social media banners Click on the images below to view them larger View social media material from the Cancer & AMR Consortium View social media cards WAAW social media ready made messages 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 News and Blogs on AMR How to contain the threat of antimicrobial resistance to people living with cancer? Read more Podcast "Let's Talk Cancer": Superbugs and drug resistance: a threat to humanity Read more Antimicrobial resistance: a clear and present danger Read more A parent's perspective on the urgent need for innovation and policy reform to fight infections By: John Alter Read more Lack of access to antibiotics and antifungals compromise cancer care By: Fatema Rafiqi Read more What can be done about drug resistance? Read more More Tags Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) World AMR Awareness Week Last update Tuesday 14 November 2023 Share this page
