For the past six months, 63-year-old Ms. Wang had noticed that her bowel movements were becoming increasingly difficult, and her stools were becoming much thinner, but she didn't think much of it. It wasn't until her abdominal pain and bloating became more and more frequent that Ms. Wang went to the proctology department of the hospital for a colonoscopy, which revealed that she had rectal cancer.
To make matters worse, Aunt Wang's husband, Uncle An, soon developed similar symptoms. Doctors discovered a large mass in Uncle An's rectum during a digital rectal examination. After colonoscopy and pathological examination, Uncle An was also diagnosed with rectal cancer.
The children were puzzled. How could both of them get cancer? Could cancer be contagious?
Is cancer contagious?
Cancer is not contagious. Even cancer that develops from viral infections is not infectious. For example, hepatitis B virus infection has a high probability of developing into liver cancer, but liver cancer patients do not directly transmit the cancer to others. Only if a liver cancer patient carries the hepatitis B virus can the cancer be transmitted to others.
While it might seem that Mr. and Mrs. Wang contracted rectal cancer one after the other, rectal cancer is not contagious. The pathogenesis of cancer and the pathogenesis of infectious diseases are completely different concepts, and the possibility of transmission is zero.
"Couple cancer" is not uncommon. What are the reasons for this?
Although cancer itself is not contagious, the lifestyle factors that lead to cancer share similar characteristics, which are also the main factors contributing to cancer in some couples.
The likelihood of a couple developing the same cancer is inextricably linked to their living environment. The factors contributing to cancer are inherently intertwined with the living environment. For example, a contributing factor to esophageal cancer is the long-term consumption of extremely hot or spicy foods. Couples living together are very likely to develop similar eating habits; if one eats very hot food, the other is likely to do the same. These shared lifestyle habits can ultimately lead to similar causes and mechanisms of cancer development.
Besides the shared living environment and habits leading to similar triggers, it's not surprising that couples living together in the same carcinogenic environment might develop the disease simultaneously. In Australia during the last century, due to the vigorous development of the asbestos industry, workers lived near mining areas. Later, some workers, along with their wives and even children, contracted lung disease. This illustrates how exposure to the same pathogenic factors can lead to similar disease mechanisms.
In addition, viral transmission is also a cause of cancer in couples. Hepatitis B is contagious, and without preventative measures, it can easily spread between spouses. If both partners become infected, the likelihood of them eventually developing liver cancer is significantly increased.
Therefore, taking all factors into account, the shared environment and exposure to the same pathogens are the fundamental factors leading to cancer in couples.
If one spouse is diagnosed with cancer, how can the other spouse undergo screening?
In life, if one spouse is diagnosed with cancer, the risk and likelihood of the other spouse developing cancer increases, especially if the cancer is caused by certain lifestyle habits. In such cases, after one spouse is diagnosed, the other spouse should not only change their previous lifestyle habits but also pay attention to physical examinations and prevention.
In the case of esophageal cancer, if one spouse is diagnosed with the disease, the other spouse needs to pay attention to their own health and can go to the hospital for esophageal cancer screening. Through gastroscopy, it is possible to effectively detect whether there are lesions in the esophagus, and such examinations should be performed regularly.
For example, with lung cancer, although the likelihood of both spouses smoking is low, if one smokes, the other is constantly exposed to secondhand smoke. If the husband develops lung cancer, the wife's risk increases. In this situation, the wife should also regularly monitor her health and pay close attention to any subtle changes. Currently, low-dose CT scans are the most effective method for lung cancer screening.
"Couple cancer" is not inevitable; prevention is more important.
However, it's important to note that developing cancer in couples is not inevitable. It simply means that if one partner develops the disease, the other partner's chances increase, but it doesn't guarantee they will definitely develop it. Therefore, the public shouldn't panic unnecessarily. The most important thing regarding cancer is to take effective preventative measures.
In families with colorectal cancer, if someone in the family has the condition, dietary habits need to be changed. Avoid overly oily foods and excessive amounts of meat and protein. Maintain a balanced diet, increase dietary fiber intake to prevent constipation, and engage in appropriate exercise to strengthen the body's immune system.
If it is esophageal cancer, after one spouse is diagnosed, the other spouse should avoid eating food that is too hot, as well as coarse or moldy food. They should also chew their food slowly and carefully, avoiding wolfing it down. By changing these unhealthy risk factors, the risk of developing the disease can be reduced accordingly.
Cancer development is the result of a combination of factors, and its pathogenesis is highly complex. Even long-term exposure to and influence from adverse lifestyle factors does not necessarily lead to cancer. However, preventing these adverse risk factors in advance can effectively reduce the risk and probability of developing the disease.
References:
[1] "Among 100 deceased couples, 5 may have had 'couple cancer'; these three types of cancer are the most common." Health Times Online, September 19, 2016.
[2] "Beware! Some couples' cancers are caused by their diet" Dahe.cn, April 7, 2016
[3] "5 out of 100 couples develop 'couple cancer,' lifestyle is the main cause," Health Times, July 22, 2020.
