In recent years, as the incidence of cancer has increased year by year and people’s health awareness has increased, cancer has attracted more and more attention. Is cancer contagious? Will it be hereditary? What is "family cancer"? How should cancer be prevented? ... Regarding cancer, people always have many questions that need to be resolved.
The cancer itself is not contagious
Under normal circumstances, the tissue cells of the human body are controlled by genes, and the biological behaviors of the cells, such as growth and proliferation, are orderly, and there will be no confusion. However, when the human body is exposed to carcinogens such as chemical carcinogens, radiation, certain bacteria and viruses for a long time, it will cause genes to "mutate", which will lead to uncontrolled cell growth. These uncontrolled cells are also cancer cells that "grow wildly" in the body. Formation of a mass (or tumor). In other words, the occurrence of cancer is the result of changes in cell genes under the combined action of various external factors such as the external environment, living habits, diet and exercise. It usually takes more than ten to several decades to develop from normal cells to cancer cells.
In theory, two conditions must be met for cancer to be transmitted: the cancer cells of the patient can enter the body of a healthy person and the cancer cell can survive and grow in the body of a healthy person. First of all, cancer cells are very large, and it is difficult to enter healthy people through daily transmission channels such as breathing, diet, and contact. Second, the human body has a strong immune system that can effectively identify and eliminate foreign "invaders", even if cancer Cells enter a healthy human body by chance and are also eliminated by the immune system.
In short, so far, there has not been any clinical report of cancer infection. In real life, doctors and nurses in cancer hospitals who have been in contact with cancer patients for a long time have a cancer incidence rate that is not higher than that of ordinary people. Therefore, it can be determined that cancer will not be transmitted through daily lifestyles such as kissing, touching (hugging and shaking hands), sex, and sharing utensils.
The viruses and bacteria that cause cancer can be transmitted
Cancer is not contagious, but it does not mean that the viruses and bacteria that cause cancer will not be contagious. Some cancers are related to some microbial infections. For example, the occurrence of liver cancer is related to hepatitis B virus infection. Although liver cancer is not contagious, hepatitis B is an infectious disease and attention should be paid to prevention and treatment. The occurrence of gastric cancer is related to Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach. Helicobacter pylori can be transmitted through the digestive tract through close contact in daily life. Once infected with Helicobacter pylori, it must be treated promptly.
We also often see that a couple and children will get the same type of cancer, which we call "family cancer." However, it is not the result of infection, but the result of a common lifestyle, diet and environment.
A family living together for a long time, exposed to the same family environment, living, eating, and living environment are basically the same. Over time, everyone may be affected by the same carcinogenic factor or inducement. For example, someone in the family likes to eat smoked meat products, pickled vegetables and other foods, often forming a family's common dietary structure and habits, long-term consumption of these foods will lead to the occurrence of certain digestive tract cancers. A certain food on the dinner table has gone bad or moldy, and everyone is eating it. The carcinogens in moldy food will increase the risk of liver cancer and stomach cancer.
Family members all live in a relatively small and enclosed environment. If there are certain carcinogens in the indoor air, such as kitchen oil fume pollution, or someone in the family smokes, plus poor ventilation, everyone is breathing the same air, and the air is carcinogenic. The substance will form a common carcinogenic factor in the family.
In addition, studies believe that human emotions have an impact on immune function. The atmosphere of family life often affects everyone in the family. A harmonious family full of humor and laughter will make people feel happy; while living in depression will lead to reduced immune function.
In summary, "family cancer" is scientifically based. Therefore, in our family life, we must maintain a common living environment for everyone, develop good family living habits, establish a harmonious family atmosphere, and jointly prevent and fight cancer.
Some cancers may be inherited
Tumor is a multi-gene genetic susceptibility disease, and there is often a phenomenon of family aggregation. Simply put, genetic factors play a very important role in the occurrence and development of tumors. From the perspective of genetics, tumors can be divided into hereditary tumors, tumors with a genetic predisposition to tumors, and sporadic tumors.
At present, the common and well-researched solid tumors mainly include hereditary breast cancer, hereditary ovarian cancer, and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome). The occurrence of such malignant tumors is often closely related to genetic mutations. If the pathogenic mutation that causes tumors occurs at the germ cell level, the risk of tumors in the offspring of the family who acquires the mutation will be much higher than that of the normal population.
For example, in hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer, BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations are more likely to cause disease. About 40% to 50% of hereditary breast cancers are caused by BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations, which have been reported in the literature. People with BRCA1 gene mutations have a lifetime risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer of 50%-85% and 15%-45%; those with BRCA2 gene mutations have a lifetime risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer of 50%~ 85% and 10%-20%.
To be clear here, the "relatives" we refer to in the genetic analysis are "blood relatives" that are related to each other. For example, you and your parents, aunts, cousins, etc. are blood relatives, but with your uncle, Cousin is not.
Improve survival rate through "early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment"
The World Health Organization has long proposed that one-third of cancers can be completely prevented; one-third of cancers can be cured through early detection; one-third of cancers can use existing medical measures to prolong life, alleviate suffering, and improve life. quality. Therefore, to achieve the "three early": early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment can prevent cancer to the greatest extent and improve cancer survival rate.
In addition, we must actively avoid cancer risk factors in our lives. At present, there is conclusive evidence that smoking, drinking, obesity, stress, lack of exercise, etc. are all high-risk factors for cancer. Therefore, to prevent cancer, you should pay attention to:
1. Quit smoking and limit alcohol. Smokers have a 7 to 11 times higher risk of cancer than non-smokers. Long-term heavy and frequent drinking will also greatly increase the damage of multiple organs such as the liver, esophagus, and stomach, and will inevitably increase the incidence of liver cancer, esophageal cancer, and gastric cancer.
2. Food hygiene. Long-term eating foods that are too hot, cold, salty, spicy, or sour can directly cause damage to the digestive organs; long-term eating foods rich in carcinogens such as expired, spoiled, fried and barbecued can induce cancer; long-term eating moldy Food can easily increase the risk of cancer.
3. Combination of work and rest. Long-term mental stress or insomnia will inevitably lead to physical weakness, decreased immune function, endocrine disorders, and various physical and mental illnesses, which will eventually lead to the occurrence of malignant tumors.
4. Improve resistance. According to your physical condition and fitness, choose the aerobic exercise that suits you.
5. Air pollution protection. There are carcinogens in air pollutants, and environmental protection, governance and personal protection are very important.
