Table of Contents
- Cancer is not contagious.
- However, certain types of cancers are caused by sexually transmitted viruses
- Other viruses that can cause cancer
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
- Hepatitis B/C Viruses (HBV/HCV)
- Human Herpes Virus (HHV-8)
- Human T-lymphotropic Virus-1 (HTLV-1)
- Safeguarding yourself against cancers caused by viruses
This is the brain teaser that the Onco.com team is out to solve in this article. Let’s take a look at the available facts! Cancer is not contagious.
The American Cancer Society says: Cancer is NOT contagious. A healthy person cannot “catch” cancer from someone who has it. There is no evidence that close contact or things like sex, kissing, touching, sharing meals, or breathing the same air can spread cancer from one person to another.
Source: American Cancer Society Guidelines
However, certain types of cancers are caused by sexually transmitted viruses
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Other viruses that can cause cancer
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
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Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
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Hepatitis B/C Viruses (HBV/HCV)
The viruses Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) can increase the risk of Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma).
Human Herpes Virus (HHV-8)
The Type-8 Human Herpes Virus (HHV-8) – sometimes referred to as the Kaposi Sarcoma Herpes Virus (KSHV), is a usual suspect for a specific type of cancer known as Kaposi Sarcoma. The chances of getting Kaposi Sarcoma increase multifold if the patient in concern is also affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) – the same virus that causes AIDS.
Human T-lymphotropic Virus-1 (HTLV-1)
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Safeguarding yourself against cancers caused by viruses
While there are age-appropriate vaccinations available today, which ensure that subjects do not develop such cancers at a later age, the general guidelines that apply to safe sexual practices are applicable here too. Adopting contraceptive methods that prevent the transmission of such viruses, avoiding unprotected sex, and getting screened regularly for such virus panels are some of the best ways in which such cancers can be avoided.
This is a part of our series of Cancer Mythbusters.