# Non-communicable disease

An illness that is not caused by a pathogen and cannot be passed on, such as heart disease or most cancers.

Biology (school) · Part 04: Health and disease · Card 10 of 10 · Last updated 2026-10-19

## Analogy

A bad habit building up over time, not a bug going round.

## In practice

Smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise raise the risk of several of these diseases.

## Practice

### Flashcards

- **Is diabetes communicable?** No. It cannot be passed from person to person.

## Questions people ask

### What lifestyle factors raise the risk of non-communicable disease?

Smoking raises the risk of lung disease, heart disease and cancer. Too much alcohol harms the liver. A diet high in fat and sugar and little exercise raises the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Several factors often combine and also interact with genes.

### What is cancer?

Cancer is uncontrolled cell division. Changes in a cell's DNA cause it to divide without stopping, forming a lump called a tumour. A benign tumour stays in one place. A malignant tumour invades other tissues and can spread, forming secondary tumours. Risk factors include smoking, UV light and some genes.

## Related concepts

- [Communicable disease](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-4/biology-school-part-4-concept-2)
- [Pathogen](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-4/biology-school-part-4-concept-1)
- [Vector](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-4/biology-school-part-4-concept-3)

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