Leukemia: Who’s at Risk?
No one knows the exact causes of leukemia. Doctors can seldom
explain why one person gets this disease and another does not. However, research has shown that people with
certain risk
factors are more likely than others to develop leukemia. A risk factor is anything that increases a
person’s chance of developing a disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors for leukemia:
Very high levels
of radiation—People
exposed to very high levels of radiation are much more likely than others to
develop leukemia. Very high levels of
radiation have been caused by atomic bomb explosions (such as those in Japan
during World War II) and nuclear power plant
accidents (such as the Chernobyl [also called Chornobyl] accident in
1986).
Medical treatment that uses radiation can be another source of high-level
exposure. Radiation used for diagnosis, however, exposes people to much
lower levels of radiation and is not linked to leukemia.
Working with certain chemicals—Exposure to high levels of benzene
in the workplace can cause leukemia.
Benzene is used widely in the chemical industry. Formaldehyde
is also used by the chemical industry.
Workers exposed to formaldehyde also may be at greater risk of leukemia.
Chemotherapy—Cancer patients treated with certain cancer-fighting
drugs sometimes later develop leukemia.
For example, drugs known as alkylating agents are associated
with the development of leukemia many years later.
Down syndrome and certain other genetic diseases—Some diseases
caused by abnormal chromosomes may increase the risk of
leukemia.
Human T-cell leukemia virus-I
(HTLV-I)—This virus causes a rare type of chronic
lymphocytic leukemia known as human T-cell leukemia. However,
leukemia does not appear to be contagious.
Myelodysplastic syndrome—People with this blood
disease are at increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia.
In the past, some studies suggested exposure to
electromagnetic fields as
another possible risk factor for leukemia.
Electromagnetic fields are a type of low-energy radiation that comes
from power lines and electric appliances.
However, results from recent studies show that the evidence is weak for
electromagnetic fields as a risk factor.
Most
people who have known risk factors do not get leukemia. On the other hand, many who do get the
disease have none of these risk factors.
People who think they may be at risk of leukemia should discuss this
concern with their doctor. The doctor may
suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for
checkups.
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