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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Lung Cancer With Severe Cough Contagious?

I am concerned about my children being around a person with lung cancer that is spitting up blood and phlegm (sputum). The sputum has cancer cells in it and I am afraid if they (all of us) breathe in cancer cells we could contract cancer. Is this possible.
Mon, 4 May 2015
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

Cancer is never spread by breathing cancer cells. If there is a person with lung cancer in the household then it is not a problem to inhale the same air. We doctors work all the time with cancer patients and talk to hem for hours without any risk of ourselves getting it. Children also have no risk of developing cancer from another patient by breathing the same air. It is best to provide him with sputum cups which can be safely disposed.

However it is important to make sure that he does not have any infection that is causing blood and coughing in sputum. Should he be having any infection then please get him treated for it immediately. Lung cancer is never contagious through sputum. Please do not worry.
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Is Lung Cancer With Severe Cough Contagious?

Hi, Thanks for writing in. Cancer is never spread by breathing cancer cells. If there is a person with lung cancer in the household then it is not a problem to inhale the same air. We doctors work all the time with cancer patients and talk to hem for hours without any risk of ourselves getting it. Children also have no risk of developing cancer from another patient by breathing the same air. It is best to provide him with sputum cups which can be safely disposed. However it is important to make sure that he does not have any infection that is causing blood and coughing in sputum. Should he be having any infection then please get him treated for it immediately. Lung cancer is never contagious through sputum. Please do not worry.