Is cancer contagious?
Cancer is not contagious. There is no reason to avoid people with cancer, and in fact they will need your support and understanding. We now know that some cancer genes are hereditary and so several family members may have the same or related types of cancer. This is due to an inherited genetic disorder, not spending time together. Human papilloma virus (HPV), a virus that causes 70% of cervical cancer, is contagious and is transmitted via sexual activity. However, cervical cancer itself is not contagious.
No, cancer is not contagious. HPV is a virus that can cause cancer – but it’s fairly common and most people who have the virus, don’t have cancer. Some possible causes are: genetics, radiation, other environmental factors, smoking/any type of tobacco, tanning/excessive sun exposure (like repeatedly getting horrible sunburns), certain chemicals (like asbestos)… but mostly, nobody really knows what causes normal cells to start mutating and therefore turning into cancer cells. I’m glad you asked. I have encountered people who think everything including cancer is contagious so they will avoid people with cancer instead of supporting them and treating them like they are normal people.
