Leukemia is a cancer that affects the body's blood cells. White blood cells play a part in the immune system by fighting viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other foreign substances. The cells are produced in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and other tissues and organs throughout the body.
Acute leukemia can come one suddenly, causing the cancer cells to multiply quickly. Chronic leukemia progresses slowly with mild symptoms in the beginning. There are different forms of leukemia, which affects adults and children.
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Researchers are not sure what causes leukemia, but the risk for the cancer may increase from these nine factors:
1. A family history of leukemia is a risk factor.
2. Genetic abnormalities could trigger the development of leukemia. Down syndrome is among the disorders associated with increased risk of certain forms of the disease,
says the Mayo Clinic.
3. Smoking increases the risk of acute myelogenous leukemia, the most common form of leukemia, which affects children and adults.
4. Exposure to high levels of radiation, including low-energy radiation from electromagnetic fields such as power lines, can affect the likelihood of leukemia,
according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. The increased risk is also associated with high-energy radiation, such as nuclear explosions.
5. Certain chemicals have been linked to an increased risk for leukemia. Benzene, used by chemical companies and found in gasoline, is among the chemicals, the Mayo Clinic notes.
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6. Previous treatment for cancer that includes radiation or chemotherapy may play a role in leukemia risk.
7. Men are more at risk than women for developing chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and acute myelogenous leukemia.
8. Certain blood disorders increase the risk for
acute myelogenous leukemia, says the American Cancer Society. These disorders include essential thrombocythemia, idiopathic myelofibrosis, and polycythemia vera.
9. The risk of developing leukemia increases with age, except for acute lymphocytic leukemia, which occurs mostly in children.
A risk factor doesn’t mean you will get the cancer, but it is a way for patients to consider the possibilities of developing leukemia and discussing them with a doctor.
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