Cancer is not an infectious disease, but is the result of genetic changes in cells, possibly accompanied by inflammation caused by some viruses. Therefore, cancer is unlikely to spread, especially through food as many people worry about.
Cancer cells from a patient cannot live in another person’s body. The immune system of a healthy person will recognize and destroy foreign cells, including cancer cells. Cancer is also not transmitted through ways such as kissing, having sex, sharing personal items, contact with blood or touching the skin of a person with cancer, breathing the same air…
The cause of cancer is unknown, but there are risk factors that increase the risk of the disease including:
Smoke is one of the leading risk factors for many types of cancer such as lung cancer, oral cancer, colon cancer…
Exposure to toxic chemicals in the working or living environment (asbestos, benzene, dioxin, pesticides…) can increase the risk of cancer.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight or tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer.
Unhealthy diet such as eating habits low in fiber, saturated fat, vegetables, fruits… easily lead to the possibility of cancer, especially colorectal cancer.
Sedentary It is also a factor that increases the risk of cancer.
Drink beer closely related to many types of cancer such as liver cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer and breast cancer.
Exposure to cancer-causing viruses such as HPV (Human Papillomavirus) virus that causes cervical cancer; EBV virus (Epstein-Barr virus) causes nasopharyngeal cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma; Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus cause liver cancer.
In addition, some types of cancer have a genetic component, meaning if you have a family member with cancer, you have a higher risk of getting cancer. Each person needs to have a reasonable diet and lifestyle, and should have a regular health check-up at least once a year. Proactively screening for cancer regularly helps detect the disease at an early stage (if present), thereby increasing the possibility of cure.