My mom has cancer of the parotid gland. Can this cancer be transmitted
to me through her saliva.?  Very concerned because I am have few of
same symptoms.

BA

Hi balg:

[Please bear in mind that Google Answers Researcher do NOT give
medical advice. You should always see a trained medical doctor if you
have health concerns.]

I am sorry to hear about your Mom's condition. However, you can rest
assured that her parotid gland cancer is *NOT* contagious. NO cancer
is contagious.

Introduction to Contagion 
URL: http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/contag/intro.htm
Quote: "You cannot catch cancer from someone who has it. It is not
contagious by saliva, sexual activity, body fluids, or even by blood.
The only extremely rare ways to catch cancer include organ transplants
and very rare cases of fetus-to-mother or mother-to-fetus contagion."

More specifically to parotid gland cancer:

SALIVARY GLAND TUMORS 
URL: http://www.lakeside.ca/Patient_Info/salivary_gland_tumors.htm
Quote: "Salivary gland tumors are rare. They are not contagious, and
the cause is not. The only sure way to diagnose salivary gland tumors
is to remove the tumor completely with a surgical procedure and
examine the tissue with a microscope. Salivary gland tumors can be
cured if detected and removed before the cancer has spread."

However, if you are experiencing similar symptoms, there is a *small*
chance that you have inherited from your Mom a genetic disorder that
makes you succeptible to this type of cancer.

The Cancer Council Australia
URL: http://www.cancer.org.au/content.cfm?randid=779291#Iscance
Quote: "No, cancer is not contagious. There is no reason to avoid
people with cancer, and in fact they probably need your support and
understanding.
We now know that some cancer genes are hereditary and so several
family members may have the same or related types of cancer. But this
does not mean the cancer is contagious - it is an inherited genetic
disorder. Some people carry faulty or altered genes that increase
their risk of cancer."

My (personal) advice to you - go see a doctor and get examined/tested,
so you can rule out this disease for you. Then you'll have a clearer
mind and spirit and be more able to help your Mom.

Search Strategy (on Google):
* "parotid gland" cancer contagious
* cancer contagious
* cancer contagious saliva 
* "parotid gland cancer" 

I hope this helps. Good luck!

websearcher

Thank you for responding. I will continue to look into my situation.