Colon cancer, which affects the large intestine, often prompts questions about its origins and potential for transmission. This article clarifies common misunderstandings and explains how the disease develops.
Colon Cancer Is Not Contagious
Colon cancer is not a contagious illness and cannot spread from one person to another. This means you cannot contract colon cancer through close contact, such as kissing, touching, sharing meals, or even breathing the same air as someone who has the disease.
Cancer cells from an affected individual cannot survive or grow within a healthy person’s body. A healthy immune system identifies and eliminates foreign cells, including any cancer cells introduced from another person.
Unlike infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, colon cancer does not transmit through bodily fluids or airborne particles. While some cancers are linked to certain viruses or bacteria, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) or Helicobacter pylori, the cancer itself is not directly transmissible, even if the infectious agent can spread. The only known exception for cancer transmission between individuals is in extremely rare cases of organ or tissue transplantation, where a recipient might develop cancer from a donor with a history of the disease, though this risk is very low, occurring in about two cases per 10,000 organ transplants.
How Colon Cancer Develops
Colon cancer begins with abnormal cell growth in the inner lining of the colon, often as small, non-cancerous growths called polyps. Over time, some polyps can become cancerous. It takes about 5 to 10 years for a precancerous polyp to develop into a cancerous tumor.
Several factors contribute to the risk of developing colon cancer:
Genetics play a role, with a family history of polyps or certain inherited conditions like Lynch syndrome increasing an individual’s susceptibility.
Increasing age is also a significant risk factor, as most cases are due to acquired genetic mutations that accumulate over time.
Lifestyle choices, including diet, physical activity levels, smoking, and alcohol consumption, can also influence the likelihood of developing the disease.
Additionally, inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, are associated with a higher risk of colon cancer.