Risk Factors for Leukemia

List of Risk Factors for Leukemia

The list of risk factors mentioned for Leukemia in various sources includes:

• Gender - males more than females.
• Race - Caucasians more often than African Americans.
• Radiation exposure
  • High-energy radiation - e.g. in atomic bomb explosions
  • Nuclear accidents
  • Radiation therapy
  • Radioactive iodine (I-131) therapy
• Certain genetic conditions
  • Down syndrome
• Certain chemicals
  • Benzene
• Chemotherapy - when used for other cancers chemotherapy can sometimes increase the risk of a later case of leukemia.
• HTLV - this virus is only a risk for one particular type of leukemia.

Risk factors discussion:

By studying large numbers of people all over the world, researchers have found certain risk factors that increase a person's risk of getting leukemia. For example, exposure to large amounts of high-energy radiation increases the risk of getting leukemia. Such radiation was produced by the atomic bomb explosions in Japan during World War II. In nuclear power plants, strict safety rules protect workers and the public from exposure to harmful amounts of radiation.

Some research suggests that exposure to electromagnetic fields is a possible risk factor for leukemia. (Electromagnetic fields are a type of low-energy radiation that comes from power lines and electric appliances.) However, more studies are needed to prove this link.

Certain genetic conditions can increase the risk for leukemia. One such condition is Down's syndrome; children born with this syndrome are more likely to get leukemia than other children.

Workers exposed to certain chemicals over a long period of time are at higher risk for leukemia. Benzene is one of these chemicals. Also, some of the drugs used to treat other types of cancer may increase a person's risk of getting leukemia. However, this risk is very small when compared with the benefits of chemotherapy.

Scientists have identified a virus that seems to increase the risk for one very uncommon type of leukemia. However, this virus has no known association with common forms of leukemia. Scientists throughout the world continue to study viruses and other possible risk factors for leukemia. By learning what causes this disease, researchers hope to better understand how to prevent and treat it. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Leukemia: NCI)

Risks factors for Leukemia: medical news summaries:

The following medical news items are relevant to risk factors for Leukemia:

• 17 substances added to America's list of carcinogens
• Childhood cancer decreases later quality of life
• Low dose radiation exposure increases risk of cancer
• Oral health and overall wellbeing
• More news »

About risk factors:

Risk factors for Leukemia are factors that do not seem to be a direct cause of the disease, but seem to be associated in some way. Having a risk factor for Leukemia makes the chances of getting a condition higher but does not always lead to Leukemia. Also, the absence of any risk factors or having a protective factor does not necessarily guard you against getting Leukemia. For general information and a list of risk factors, see the risk center.

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