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Risk Factors

Leukemia

Scientists do not fully understand all the causes of leukemia, but research has uncovered many associations. For example, chronic exposure to benzene in the workplace and exposure to large doses of radiation have been shown to cause leukemia in some cases.¹ Additionally, cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco may be associated with myeloid leukemia in adults.² Family history has also been associated with increased risk of leukemia.³ Caucasians are more likely than African Americans to develop acute leukemia,⁴ but scientists do not know why.

Lymphoma

The main causes of lymphoma are unknown. However, research has shown that people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at much higher risk of developing lymphoma.⁵ Other viral agents, such as human T-cell lymphotrophic virus and Epstein Barr virus, also have been linked with certain types of lymphoma.⁵ Finally, some studies suggest that specific ingredients in herbicides and pesticides may be associated with lymphoma occurrence, but scientists have not defined the amount of such exposures required to increase the risk of developing lymphoma.⁵

Myeloma

Age is the most significant risk factor for developing myeloma.⁶ People under the age of 45 years rarely develop the disease, while those aged 67 years or older are at greatest risk of developing myeloma.⁷ Men are more likely than women to develop myeloma, and myeloma is about twice as common among African Americans as among Caucasians.⁴ In rare cases, exposure to radiation may be a risk factor for developing myeloma.⁶ Finally, some studies have suggested that workers in petroleum-related industries may be at a higher risk for developing myeloma.⁵

References

¹The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Leukemia Facts & Statistics.*

²American Cancer Society. What Are the Risk Factors for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?*

³National Institutes of Health. PDQ General Information About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

⁴U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 2004 Incidence and Mortality. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Washington, DC: National Cancer Institute; 2007.

⁵The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Lymphoma.*

⁶American Cancer Society. What Causes Multiple Myeloma?*

⁷Devita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Principles and Practice of Oncology. Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.

*Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.