Leukemia

Frequently Asked Questions

6. Am I at risk of developing leukemia?

No one knows why some people develop leukemia and others do not. Most people who have known risk factors do not get leukemia, while many who get the disease do not have any risk factors. The following risk factors increase a person's chance of developing leukemia: older, male, white, past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, working with certain chemicals, smoking, exposure to very high levels of radiation, and certain health conditions.