PRECANCERS
These, in themselves, are harmless changes in the tissues of the body. Their danger lies in the fact that they have a tendency to become cancerous. They include leukoplakia of the mouth and tongue, thickened white patches (not ordinary canker sores); some moles; any chronically irritated spot on the skin or the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue; polyps, such as those of the large intestine which, although harmless, can become cancerous; some forms of lymph gland tumours, such as the slowly growing follicular type of lymphoma.
It is most important to know about precancers, so that they can be removed or destroyed in time to prevent the possible development of a potentially serious cancer.
Cancer is not contagious or communicable
Fortunately, cancer is not contagious. No cancer has ever been transmitted from one person to another. In the laboratory, scientists have succeeded in transmitting animal tumours and cancers. However, doctors, pathologists, nurses, and others who deal with human cancer daily have never caught the disease. It is therefore perfectly safe to visit, associate with, or care for anyone who has cancer.
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