Saturday, June 1, 2013

Is cancer contagious?

If my wife has cancer, can I get the same cancer from her?   In general, the answer is no.    In general, cancer is not contagious like infection.   You don't get colon or breast or ovarian cancer just because you are living with a patient with these cancers.  

However, cervical and liver cancer may be infectious indirect way.  Most cervical cancer is transmitted by Human Papilloma viruses (HPV).  HPV are transmitted, usually, by sexual intercourse.    Certain types of liver cancer can arise from liver cirrhosis.  This liver disease may be caused by another virus called Hepatitis C.  Hepatitis C is usually transmitted by exchanging body fluid (sex, blood transfusion, contaminated needles, etc).


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