A member asked:

Can colonoscopy transfer cancer cells from a patient with colon cancer to a healthy person?

5 doctors weighed in across 4 answers

Not likely: I suppose anything is possible, but i don't believe this has ever been shown to occur.

Answered 2/9/2012

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Not likely: The scope is sterilized between patients so transmission is unlikely. Colonoscopy is fairly safe and great screening tool for colon cancer.

Answered 7/30/2015

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Dr. Michael Jones answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

No: Even in the extraordinarily low likelihood that the scope was not sterilized between patient the cancer cells in and of themselves would not be harmful as cancer is not contagious!

Answered 2/9/2012

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No: Scopes are cleaned and sterilized between patients so there are no live cells being transferred.

Answered 7/20/2012

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