A communicable disease is an illness caused by a specific infectious agent or toxic product. However, a non-communicable disease is a chronic condition that does not result from an acute infectious process. Both communicable and non communicable diseases are the leading cause of death world wide. A comparative analysis of HIV/AIDS (human immune deficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome) and cancer shows both similarities and differences in their causative agents, consequences and preventative methods.



Both HIV/AIDS and cancer are comparable based on their causative agents. Like cancer, HIV/AIDS cannot be contracted via kissing, hugging or shaking hands. Various studies have shown that, both HIV/AIDS are caused by more complex measures of contact. HIV/AIDS is similar to cancer in that they are both caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. For example, a person who practices careless, unprotected sex or drug use is more susceptible to contracting HIV/AIDS. Likewise, a person with extreme smoking habits is also more susceptible to the development of cancer. On the contrary, HIV/AIDS is a communicable disease caused by a viral attack on the immune system, whereas, cancer is a non- communicable disease that’s causes are not yet known. Theories indicate however, that is due to smoking, diet, pollution or genes.



Similarly, an examination of the consequences of both HIV/AIDS and cancer shows significant similarities and differences. Both HIV/AIDS and cancer result in a disruption of family stability. Alternative diets, exercises and working conditions are altered in attempts to accommodate the HIV/AIDS or cancer victim. In the same way, families of both victims are left with the burden of added expenses for expensive and compulsory treatment. The social stigma attached to victims with HIV/AIDS or cancer is strikingly different. Since HIV/AIDS is seen as self inflicted, a negative stigma is attached to victims with this disease. On the other hand, cancer victims are not stigmatized because they are seen as blameless for having this disease.



In the same way, an analysis of the preventative methods reveals both similarities and differences in HIV/AIDS and cancer. A major step in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and cancer is to have educational and awareness programs to inform citizens about these diseases. The provision of condoms, needles and smoke patches can be distributed in attempts to curbs the rise in contraction of these diseases. In the same way, to prevent one’s self from getting HIV/AIDS or cancer, citizens can practice abstinence from the causative agents, such as, sexual intercourse and smoking respectively. On the contrary, the personal choice to change one’s lifestyle differ with respect t HIV/AIDS and cancer. Whereas a person can personally choose to protect themselves or abstain from sexual intercourse, even if a person chooses to quit smoking, they are still susceptible to the development of cancer via passive smoking in the workplace and public facilities.



Both HIV/AIDS and cancer are fatal diseases. An extensive review of their cause, effect and prevention shows both similarities and differences in all three areas.