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!
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