Which of the following is NOT an example of a communicable disease?

The correct answer is cancer, as it is not classified as a communicable disease. Communicable diseases are those that can be transmitted from one person to another, either through direct contact or through vectors such as insects. For example, HIV/AIDS can be spread through bodily fluids, measles is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets, and malaria is transmitted via the bite of infected mosquitoes.

In contrast, cancer results from a series of cellular changes and mutations that typically arise due to genetic factors, environmental exposures, or lifestyle choices rather than infectious agents. While some viruses can increase the risk of certain types of cancer (like HPV with cervical cancer), cancer itself does not spread between individuals in the same way that communicable diseases do. This distinction is vital in understanding public health and disease prevention strategies.