While some animal cancers are contagious, no human cancers are. However, some diseases, such as HPV and HHV8, can cause cancer in humans. Certain behaviors, like smoking and alcoholism, can also increase the risk of cancer and may be considered “contagious” in a non-traditional sense. Scientists are researching the link between viruses and cancer to find ways to prevent and treat these diseases.
While some animal cancers have been found to be contagious, no human forms have yet been found to be contagious. Some contagious diseases can, however, cause cancer in humans. These diseases are not transmitted through cancer cells but through viruses that cause disease. Additionally, some behaviors are believed to be contagious or at least may cause exposure to carcinogens. In this case, the cancer cells are not contagious, but the behaviors that cause them, such as smoking, may be more likely to occur in family groups.
Some viruses have a direct link to some types of cancer. For example, some forms of human papillomavirus (HPV) are now listed as the primary cause of all cervical cancers and can also cause penile cancer. There are only a few types of human papillomavirus that cause these diseases, and not everyone who has the virus gets cancer. All HPV types that can cause it are sexually transmitted.
Another sexually transmitted disease indicated in a form of cancer is human herpes virus 8 (HHV8). It has been linked to the development of Kaposi’s sarcoma and is almost always misidentified as being caused by AIDS. This misconception occurs because people with HIV and AIDS are at a much greater risk of contracting HHV8.
Certain behaviors can predispose people to certain types of cancers and diseases. For example, smokers not only run the risk of getting lung cancer, they can also increase the risk to others around whom they smoke. Also, children of parents who smoke are more likely to smoke themselves. Thus, in a non-traditional sense, this behavior can be considered “contagious”.
Alcoholism is another form of “contagious” behavior that indirectly increases the risk of stomach and liver cancer. Children of alcoholics are more likely to become alcoholics. While this may be partly behavioral, there may also be genetic factors that predispose people to addiction. In these cases, behaviors handed down from one generation to another can increase the risk of some forms of cancer.
In the traditional sense of ‘contagious’, most forms of cancer cannot be passed on to another person. However, the recent discovery of HPV’s role in cervical cancer raises questions as to whether others may be the result of exposure to certain viruses or bacteria. Scientists continue to research this area in hopes of finding more ways to treat and prevent these diseases.
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