Home   Recent Questions   Ask Oncologist    Health Forums   Testimonials   FAQs


This question was answered on Thu 19, Jan 2012 12:12pm by bobby s, md

I am super paranoid about coming in contact with any carcinogens. I feel likeif I touch something that may be a carcinogen and then it contacts someone elseor they accidentely ingest it, I will be the cause if they get cancer. Is thisa possibillity?


    
Asked by stcarter (Female; healthy ) on Thu 19, Jan 2012 09:42am
Priced at $9.00

I am paranoid about carcinogens. I feel like they are everywhere and that if I unintenionally expose someone else to them that I am the cause of thier cancer if they get it. Is that possible?

Actions: | Forward |
Answer


Name 

Email 

Security code
Enter the text as shown above


E-Mail me when someone replies to this post
Answer by bobby s, md  on Thu 19, Jan 2012 12:12pm:

Hello,
Your concern about carcinogens, and the possibility of their unintentional transmission to others by you, is not supported by scientific facts.
Known common causes or associations of cancer include spontaneous genetic mutations, hereditary transmission of certain mutated genes, smoking, lifestyle factors (obesity, high-fat diet, lack of exercise, chewing tobacco or betel nuts) - and you cannot thus be blamed if someone else gets cancer from these causes (unless you are passing around free cigaretts to your friends and encouraging them to smoke!).
With regard to "exposing" someone to causes of cancer - well it is true that certain viruses that are associated with cancer can spread from person to person. Epstein-Barre (lymphoma), HPV (cervical cancer, oral cancer), hepatitis B and C viruses (liver cancer), HIV (lymphoma, cervical cancer) are some well-known associations, although not all people infected with these viruses get cancer, and not all people who get these cancers have infection with these viruses. So even if virus is spread from one person to another, the virus needs various other genetic/environmental interactions in order to cause cancer; mere viral transmission is not enough.
Your paranoia is unrealistic and not based on scientific facts. Please relax, and do not worry about "spreading" cancer unintentionally via carcinogens.
Educate yourself about causes of cancer and healthy lifestyles, but do not get obsessed about or unduly afraid of cancer.
All the best, and God Bless!

If you find the site useful, please consider making a donation.  Click the button to donate.   

Please rate my answer (select the stars, no need to log in.)  

This question is open for comments.  Please share your opinion.

Comments


Name 

Email 

Security code
Enter the text as shown above


E-Mail me when someone replies to this post
Other cancer questions you might be interested in.
  1. Husband getting worse fast. No dx yet, but suspected HL or NHL. 2nd opinion time??  (Answered) - Viewed 1419 times   My 31 yo husband has been experiencing night sweats for a year now. They started about once a month for six months. In the past ...
  2. Steroid Receptor Levels; Anti-depressants; Endocrine therapy resistance  (Answered) - Viewed 396 times   Hello Dr. Heinrik, LOW Steroid-Receptor Levels are associated with mestastisis. (short term 5-year risk). And that HIGH l...
  3. Lab and Bone Scan Results  (Answered) - Viewed 768 times   Hello Dr. Heinrik, I just want you to know that I am so thankful that you take the time to be truthful and honest with me. ...
  4. Cervical Cancer? Need Diagnosis  (Answered) - Viewed 910 times   latest TVS(3/23/09)=liver-mild hepatomegaly w/ fatty infiltration. gall blader 3 sml gallstones. cervical remnant showing a larg...
  5. Clarification about tests and possible esophagus carcinoma diagnosis  (Answered) - Viewed 347 times   Dear Dr., Greetings! My father has undergone CT chest and the report reveals: 1. multiple discrete homogenous enlarged ...
  6. Breast cancer with metastases to the lung  (Answered) - Viewed 411 times   Hello, My mother in law's breast cancer has returned after 9 years in remission. She had a PT scan which revealed the canc...
  7. CNS Lymphoma  (Answered) - Viewed 373 times   My brother-in-law has CNS lymphoma and is being treated with Methotrexate chemo drug. He has to take sodium bicarbonate pills t...
  8. blister under tongue where vein is located also another one at bottom of mouth under tongue on right side  (Answered) - Viewed 6242 times   since fri.. i notice i have a white blister under my tongue where the vein is and one on the bottom right ,the one under my tong...
  9. Hi, I am a 29 yro, male & I have had an ache or pain progessivly becomming worse in my left testicle. also it is slightly undecended and is sensitive to the touch. My lower back achs as well and the lower left part of my abdomen just above my pubic bone a  (Answered) - Viewed 391 times   Hi, I am a 29 yro, male & I have had an ache or pain progessivly becomming worse in my left testicle over the last month. Also i...
  10. heavy vaginal discharge   (Answered) - Viewed 342 times   im getting desparate now and noone can help me. i have a very heavy discharge for last two months. first thing i did was go to...
  11. heavy vaginal discharge   (Answered) - Viewed 220 times   im getting desparate now and noone can help me. i have a very heavy discharge for last two months. first thing i did was go to...

 
What users are searching right now on Ask an oncologist now:
ovarian cancer     fibroadenoma     lung20haratomas20and20llung20cancer     GOLF     breast     LAMBDA FLC BLOOD TEST     what20causes20lung20cancer     size20of20tumors20on20lung20is202520cm20large     MRI bone scan     hard lump not round on iner side of leg boy 14     IgG20normal20monoclonal20peak     IgG20normal20monoclonal20peak     duodenal20follicular20lymphoma     igotalivercystisliver     reactive lymph nodes in groin     PARAPROTEINANEAMIA     swelling20in20left20armpit     monoclonal20gammopathies     lymphoma20mono     high20kappa20and20lamda20blood20tests     high20amma20globulins     breast20leaking     i20had20syphilis20got20treatment20but20im20still20dripping     Ihaveahardlumpontheinsidebottomof     IgG20kappa20monoclonal20band20present     spiro     will     InvasiveDucta     mcq20for20lung20cancer     11533020serum20kappa     Please suugest doctor     Very     Microcalcificationonmammogramandresultingcorebiopsy     axillary and breast swelling     superficial20cervical20lymph     igm20kappa20monoclonal20band20present20what20does20this20mean     hard lumps on neck     abnormal     t3n120stomach20cancer20treatment     what20is20high20grade20malignancy     positive     Ifan83yearoldmanhashadprostatecancer     what20happens20first20black20lungs20or20lung20cancer     abnormal pap     duct20epithelial20hyperplasiaapocrine20metplastic20changes     nonhodgkins lymphoma and lambda monoclonial cells     Stage20IIIC20colon20cancer     differntial20on20multiple20myeloma     high20lymphocytes20low20platelets     SeInvasive     lung cancer and leiomyosarcoma     high globulin     free medication     cin     pea sized knot out of my head     stomach     stomach     can a person with a kidney drain fly on a plane     tumor20markers20breast20cancer20recurrance     BREASTCANCERDiagnosed     ctscanshoweddarkspotonpancreas     histoplasmosis     i20have20bad20bllod20loss20from20my20vigina20its20just20gushing20away20from20me20and20i20have20lost20some20big20black20clots20and20what20seems20to20be20flesh20im20still20badly20bleeding20has20been202420hours20now     pancreatic20cyst     gastric     gastric     gastric     Multiple20mylemoa     asklungcancerquestions     asklungcancerquestions     spots on lungs     Node20under20jaw     Serum20Immunofixation20test20result2020What20does20IgG20Kappa20monoclonal20protein20detected20in20serum20immunofixation20test20mean     invasive     IGA LAMBDA DETECTED     ill defined igg lamda     SerumImmuno     what20is20wrong20if20your20stomach20hurts20everytime20after20you20eat     Gound     ihaveachesandpainsalongwithheadachesandunexplain     liver20cyst     Hodgkins after chemo     bone itching     the20sverity20of20infltrating20ductal20carcinoma20grade202     spinal20stenosis     post     pee20smells     paraproteinemia     paininmyleftside     pain20in20right20side     neoplastic20cells     multiple20lung20infultrations     ife20serum     how20long20to20live20with20stage20420kidney20cancer     high20IgM2020high20free20kappa20and20lambda20light20chains     flesh20colored20lump20on20tonsil     endometrial20cancer     will20a20bronchiascopic20tell20what20kind20of20cancer20is20present     who is the first person to get lung cancer     when20you20throw20p20does20that20mean20youre20about20to20die     

©2011 - Ask an oncologist now  |  All Rights Reserved
The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on askanoncologistnow is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence askanoncologistnow and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made.

Home | Terms & Conditions | Contact Us | Frequently Asked Questions | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Advertise with us
Stats