Health | Can Cancer Actually Be Contagious?

更新时间：2024-03-13点击：179

Healthcare Code

In Hangzhou, a young man named Xiao Zhou recently experienced significant weight loss and was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer. Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that his grandmother, uncle, and mother had all died from stomach cancer.

Ms. Xu, residing in a southern town, was diagnosed with early-stage stomach cancer during a comprehensive health check-up and promptly underwent surgery. During her hospital stay, her mother, Aunt Lü, who had been caring for her, decided to get a health check herself and was also found to have early-stage stomach cancer.

In some families, when one member is diagnosed with cancer, other members may also develop the same type of cancer, a phenomenon medically referred to as “family cancer.” So, are these “father-son cancers,” “mother-daughter cancers,” and “spousal cancers” contagious?

Hereditary Familial Cancer

The occurrence of such cancers can be attributed to two main categories, one of which is related to heredity. Taking stomach cancer as an example, stomach cancer caused by genetic factors is referred to as “hereditary familial gastric cancer.”

This diagnosis is made if either of the following two conditions is met: two or more cases of any histological type of gastric cancer in first-degree and/or second-degree relatives, with at least one case diagnosed before the age of 50; or three or more cases of gastric cancer in first-degree and/or second-degree relatives, with no age restriction. The young man from Hangzhou, Xiao Zhou, fits the characteristics of hereditary familial gastric cancer.

If there is a family history, can prevention be undertaken in advance?

In terms of monitoring, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and chromoendoscopy may be effective methods for monitoring hereditary gastric cancer, although this remains controversial;

For patients within three generations of a hereditary gastric cancer family, it is recommended to undergo CDH1 gene testing. In terms of prevention, the eradication of H. pylori infection has been confirmed by numerous studies;

For patients with CDH1 gene mutations, some suggest that prophylactic total gastrectomy may be considered, although this is also controversial. After all, the stomach is an important digestive organ, and the decision to remove it preventively before cancer develops is a difficult one. Long-term endoscopic follow-up monitoring could be an alternative.

。

Non-Hereditary Familial Cancer

In some families, if one person develops cancer, other members might also suffer from the same type of cancer, even if they are not direct blood relatives. This “family cancer” can occur simultaneously or sequentially, and the affected areas can be the same or different. So, is “family cancer” contagious? First, we need to understand how cancer develops. Cancer is characterized by abnormal cell differentiation and proliferation, uncontrolled growth, invasiveness, and metastasis. Its occurrence is a complex process involving multiple factors and steps. Simply put, cancer arises due to changes in cell genes. Several factors often influence the development of cancer.

01 Lifestyle
The occurrence of diseases in humans is the result of both genetic and environmental factors, with the latter potentially influencing the former. More than 80% of cancers are caused by poor lifestyle choices. Members of the same family often share similar lifestyles. In a household, individuals of different physiques usually follow the same daily routines, eating together and maintaining similar sleep patterns. Unhealthy dietary habits, such as frequently consuming leftovers, can harm everyone involved. Additionally, cancers caused by viruses or bacteria can spread through shared living conditions. If one person develops a disease due to poor lifestyle choices, those close to them may face the same health risks.

02 Living Environment
The living environment, including soil, water sources, and climate (e.g., Wuwei in Gansu, Changle in Fujian), plays a significant role. Indoor environments with excessive dust, oil fumes, long-term smoking, or substandard home decoration products can expose everyone in the household to the same health risks by breathing the same air.

03 Dietary Habits
Medical science emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet for good reason. There are cases where couples developed stomach cancer due to excessive consumption of red meat, and others who were diagnosed with the same condition because they ate only vegetables and no meat. Shared preferences for heavily seasoned foods can also be a significant cancer trigger.

Cancer itself is not contagious, but the factors that cause cancer can be. For instance, stomach cancer is linked to Helicobacter pylori infection, which is contagious. It is recommended to use separate dishes and utensils. Many cancers have been proven to be associated with viruses, such as hepatitis B virus and liver cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, etc. These are transmitted through prolonged close contact with the virus and shared lifestyles, leading to cases where family members develop the same illness. Additionally, emotional well-being plays a significant role. A tense household atmosphere, frequent conflicts among couples or family members, and constant unhappiness can also be major triggers for physical illnesses. Beyond the factors mentioned above, negative emotions can be contagious, and the emotional state of family members is an important contributing factor. Family discord, marital strife, and living in a state of high tension and anxiety provide opportunities for cancer to take hold.

Screening for High-Risk Groups of Gastric Cancer Should Be Emphasized
01 Individuals with Precancerous Conditions of Gastric Cancer
Precancerous conditions of gastric cancer refer to benign diseases with a tendency to develop into gastric cancer. Common examples include:

Chronic Atrophic Gastritis: This is the most common precancerous lesion, with a risk of developing gastric cancer as high as 10%.
Chronic Gastric Ulcers: The cancer transformation rate is generally less than 3%. However, if recent symptoms of the ulcer change in regularity, worsen, and are accompanied by loss of appetite, vomiting, and progressive weight loss, the possibility of cancer transformation should be considered.
Gastric Polyps: Generally, polyps with a diameter >2 cm, multiple polyps, or those with a broad base have a higher risk of cancer transformation.
Remnant Stomach: Extensive data indicate that the risk of cancer in the remnant stomach after partial gastrectomy increases, ranging from 0.3% to 10%.
Other Precancerous Conditions: Such as giant hypertrophic gastritis and verrucous gastritis.

02 Individuals Infected with Helicobacter pylori
The World Health Organization reports that individuals infected with Helicobacter pylori have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of developing gastric cancer. Why does Helicobacter pylori lead to gastric cancer? Possible reasons include:

Chronic inflammation caused by Helicobacter pylori, which generates endogenous mutagens. This leads to gastric mucosal atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and atypical hyperplasia, eventually progressing to cancer.
Helicobacter pylori reduces nitrates to nitrites, and nitrosamines are recognized carcinogens.
Metabolic products of Helicobacter pylori promote epithelial cell mutations.

03 Individuals with Poor Dietary Habits
Examples include irregular eating patterns, consumption of moldy foods, preference for pickled or smoked foods, and a high-salt diet. Moldy foods contain aflatoxin, a potent carcinogen. Additionally, pickled and smoked foods contain large amounts of carcinogens, and long-term consumption can significantly increase the risk of gastric cancer. A high-salt diet is also positively correlated with gastric cancer. While salt itself is not carcinogenic, it may damage the gastric mucosa, synergizing with other carcinogenic factors to increase the risk of gastric cancer.

04 Long-Term Alcohol and Tobacco Users
Long-term alcohol consumption can irritate the gastric mucosa, leading to cellular changes that result in gastric cancer. The relationship between smoking and gastric cancer has also been confirmed, with smoking being a strong risk factor. The risk of gastric cancer in smokers is not only related to the amount of smoking but also to the age at which smoking began, with the highest risk observed in those who started smoking during adolescence. Notably, alcohol and tobacco use can independently influence the occurrence of gastric cancer and also have an additive effect, significantly increasing the risk.

05 Individuals Prone to Emotional Suppression and Stress
Studies on risk factors for gastric cancer have found that individuals who suppress emotions, experience mental stress, or suffer from long-term depression have a significantly higher risk of developing gastric cancer.

06 Individuals with a Family History of Gastric Cancer
Gastric cancer exhibits familial clustering, with family members of gastric cancer patients having a 2 to 3 times higher incidence rate compared to the general population.

07 Individuals in Certain High-Risk Occupations
Research indicates that workers exposed to sulfuric acid mist, lead, asbestos, or herbicides have a significantly increased risk of developing gastric cancer.

How to Stay Away from Familial Gastric Cancer

01 Maintain a Good Living Environment
Keep the indoor space clean and tidy, with fresh air. Ensure proper ventilation for at least one hour daily. For newly renovated homes, allow at least three months of ventilation before moving in.

02 Adopt Healthy Cooking and Eating Habits
Gastric cancer is a common family-related cancer closely linked to diet. Foods high in oil, pickled, raw, cold, or fried are potential triggers for gastric cancer. To reduce the risk, pay special attention to your diet. Consume more fresh, high-fiber fruits and vegetables, and maintain a balanced diet. Avoid excessive consumption of red meat or a strictly vegetarian diet. When frying or cooking at high temperatures, harmful gases and substances are produced, which can remain in the food and negatively impact health. Therefore, minimize the use of frying, stir-frying, and grilling methods.

03 Foster a Harmonious Family Atmosphere
Maintain open communication among family members, with mutual understanding between elders and younger generations. A harmonious and relaxed family environment benefits both mental and physical health, enhances immunity, and helps keep cancer at bay.

04 Eradicate Helicobacter pylori
Gastric cancer is associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, which is contagious. It is recommended to use separate dishes and utensils to prevent transmission.

05 Regular and Effective Health Checkups
Most gastric cancer patients show no clinical symptoms in the early stages or may only experience mild discomfort, dull pain, or bloating in the upper abdomen, often misdiagnosed as gastritis or ulcers and treated accordingly, with temporary symptom relief.
However, these symptoms are not unique to gastric cancer and can also occur in chronic gastritis, ulcers, functional dyspepsia, or even in healthy individuals occasionally. Therefore, early gastric cancer is often misdiagnosed as functional dyspepsia or gastritis, delaying treatment. If you experience the above symptoms along with other high-risk factors or if symptoms recur after treatment, stay vigilant and seek further examinations for early detection and treatment.

The phenomenon of “family cancer” reminds us to adopt a scientific lifestyle and develop good dietary habits, which should not be overlooked! Families should learn more about dietary knowledge, improve health literacy, enhance awareness of health care, and correct unhealthy lifestyles. If a family member is diagnosed with cancer, identify the carcinogenic factors, improve the living environment, and avoid panic.

Author: Dr. Huang Hua黄华

Dr. Huang Hua

Chief Physician and Professor in the Department of Gastric Surgery at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Hospital. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the Youth Committee of the Gastric Cancer Professional Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and is a member of the Surgery Group of the Chinese Medical Association. He specializes in conventional open surgery and laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery for gastrointestinal tumors.

关键词

上一篇：Health Stand-Up Comedy” night showcased Healthy China in Shanghai. 下一篇：没有了！

Health | Can Cancer Actually Be Contagious?

相关阅读

Health Awareness

推荐文章

热门文章