Consecutive Colon Cancer Diagnosis in Married Couple Within a Year! Is Cancer Contagious?

Cancer, the leading cause of death worldwide, presents an astonishing phenomenon: if one family member is diagnosed with cancer, their partner, siblings, and other relatives have a chance of developing the same type of cancer. Does this imply that cancer is contagious?

A 73-year-old woman, residing in Hangzhou with her 78-year-old husband, spent her early years selling vegetables in the market, leading a frugal and simple lifestyle. After their retirement, the couple focused on helping raise their grandchildren at home. Several years ago, the elderly woman began experiencing irregular bowel movements, along with symptoms such as bloody stools, severe constipation, abdominal pain, and bloating. She mistakenly attributed these issues to worsening hemorrhoids caused by prolonged sitting during her vegetable-selling days, neglecting to seek proper attention.

By June 2022, the elderly woman continued to experience months of abdominal pain, bloating, and persistent constipation. Finally, she reluctantly sought medical attention at the hospital. The doctor's diagnosis revealed that she had rectal cancer, with a tumor diameter exceeding 5 cm. An immediate laparoscopic resection surgery was performed.

At that time, the attending physician strongly advised the elderly woman's husband to undergo a colonoscopy screening. However, the elderly man did not take it to heart. It wasn't until November 2023, after experiencing sudden gastric bleeding following a drinking session with friends, that he finally underwent an endoscopic examination. The results revealed a 3-centimeter tumor in his colon, leading to a diagnosis of colon cancer. He has successfully undergone surgery.

Within a span of less than a year, both spouses were diagnosed with colon cancer, leading them to question: "Can cancer be contagious?" In response to their concerns, a colorectal surgeon explained, "Colon cancer is not contagious." Instead, it is likely due to the fact that the couple resides under the same roof, sharing similar lifestyle habits and dietary patterns.

The elderly woman and her husband have a preference for heavily seasoned foods such as pickled vegetables, cured meat, salted fish, and braised duck. They typically only cook one meal a day, with the leftovers from lunch being reheated and consumed for dinner. They are reluctant to waste any leftover food and would even combine leftover dishes with freshly cooked ones. Additionally, the husband has a fondness for alcohol. Their lifestyle is rife with high-risk factors that can contribute to the development of colon cancer, which explains their consecutive diagnoses.

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