Is Liver Cancer Contagious?

[Tony N]

I don't think that liver cancer is contagious but My parents who is old and uninformed they think that liver cancer. They're Vietnamese Most of our relatives in Vietnam has Liver Cancer and the Dr. over there are saying that its contagious I explained to them that it can't be contagious because its not a virus but they don't beleve me and they're telling me that you can get shots to keep yourself from getting the disease, and you should be too close to the patient. What is a good explaination? How do you get Liver cancer? If its not a Virus or a Bacteria how do you classify it? Please inform me so I can explain to my parents

[misha81s]

No type of cancer is contagious. Cancer is when your own cells grow uncontrollably. Typically it is caused by genetics but also your environment such as pollutions, smoking, sun, and in some cases viruses. These factors may increase the risk of cancer but would not be the direct cause of it.

[TravelDoc]

Cancer is certainly not contagious.

But there is a high prevalence of Hepatitis B is Vietnam and infections which result in carrier status can cause higher rates of liver cancer.

(Hepatitis B is a virus - I am not sure if that is what the doctor meant or not - but Hepatitis B is contagious).

The "shots" they refer to are twofold:

1) Vaccine for Hep B - consider getting this if you have not.
2) If exposed to Hep B there is a medicine we can give you to treat it (which is also a shot).

Have your doctor order a "Hepatitis Panel" (blood work) on you - or a cheaper method to get these tests done is to donate a unit of blood at the Red Cross.

They check for all Hepatitis viruses (A, B, and C), HIV, syphyllis and some other diseases for free.

[kittywink]

cancer is abnormal body cells. A mutation. There are many causes such as smoking, dipping nicotine, drinking alcohol, sunburn, mostly the cause is not known. It is not a bacteria or virus and is not contagious just like you said. The liver is like a big filter, so many chemicals go thru it and can lead to cancer or the reason can be unknown. I think your parents have it mixed up with another diagnosis because there is no shot to prevent liver cancer.

[Woden501]

Cancer is a mutation of certain cells. That is all that it is. It can't be spread from person to person.