Some people avoid sitting beside, hugging or sharing meals with someone who has cancer because they fear catching the disease. This fear is based on a misunderstanding. Cancer itself is not contagious. You cannot catch cancer through ordinary contact with someone who has the disease.
Here are seven facts to understand.
1. Cancer is not like a common infection: Most cancers develop when cells acquire changes that allow them to grow uncontrollably. They do not spread through casual contact.
2. Hugging is safe: Holding hands, hugging and sitting beside someone with cancer do not transmit cancer.
3. Sharing food is safe: Eating from the same table or using ordinary household utensils does not spread cancer.
4. Coughing does not transmit cancer: A person cannot give another person cancer by coughing or sneezing.
5. Cancer treatment does not make cancer contagious: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy do not turn a patient into someone who can spread cancer to others.
6. Some infections increase cancer risk: Certain infections, including HPV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, can increase the risk of particular cancers. The infection may spread, but cancer itself does not pass through everyday contact.
7. Family history is different from contagion: Some people inherit gene changes that increase cancer risk. This is a genetic risk, not an infection passed through touching someone.
How should you treat someone with cancer?
Offer support, respect and companionship. Do not isolate people because of their diagnosis. They may need practical help, emotional encouragement and understanding during treatment.
If you are concerned about an infection associated with cancer risk, speak with a healthcare professional about vaccination, testing and prevention.
Understanding the difference between cancer and infectious diseases helps reduce stigma and allows people living with cancer to receive the support they deserve.
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