What are 5 risk factors for leukemia?

Specific risk factors for leukemia include:
  • Exposure to cancer-causing agents. ...
  • Smoking. ...
  • History of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. ...
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes. ...
  • Rare genetic syndromes. ...
  • Family history.
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Who is most susceptible to leukemia?

Who gets leukemia? Although it is often thought of as a children's disease, most cases of leukemia occur in older adults. More than half of all leukemia cases occur in people over the age of 65.
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What environmental factors causes leukemia?

Environmental Causes
  • Radiation Being around high levels of radiation may increase the risk of leukemia. ...
  • Chemicals Exposure to benzene, a chemical that's used to make plastics, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides, may increase the risk of some types of leukemia.
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What triggers leukemia in adults?

While the exact cause of leukemia—or any cancer, for that matter—is unknown, there are several risk factors that have been identified, such as radiation exposure, previous cancer treatment and being over the age of 65.
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How can a person reduce the risk of leukemia?

  • You may lower your risk of developing leukemia by doing the following.
  • Be a non-smoker. Not smoking is the best way to lower your risk of leukemia. ...
  • Maintain a healthy body weight. ...
  • Avoid breathing in benzene and formaldehyde. ...
  • More information about preventing cancer.
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Risk Factors for Leukemia



What's the chance of getting leukemia?

About 1.5% of people in the United States—almost 5 million—will be diagnosed with leukemia in their lifetime. Although there are several risk factors for the disease, it is strongly related to age.
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What were your first signs of leukemia?

Early Symptoms of Leukemia
  • Fatigue.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Bone/joint pain.
  • Headaches.
  • Fever, chills.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Night sweats.
  • Abdominal discomfort.
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Can you suddenly get leukemia?

Doctors may classify leukemia as either acute or chronic. Acute leukemia comes on suddenly, and the cancerous cells multiply rapidly. Chronic conditions result from slowly developing cancer cells, and it may take years before a person experiences any symptoms.
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Where does leukemia start?

Leukemia starts in the soft, inner part of the bones (bone marrow), but often moves quickly into the blood. It can then spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, central nervous system and other organs.
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What is the first stage of leukemia?

Stages of Chronic Leukemia

Stage 1 – A patient has high levels of white blood cells and enlarged lymph nodes. Stage 2 – A patient has high levels of white blood cells and is anemic. He or she may also have enlarged lymph nodes. Stage 3 – A patient has high levels of white blood cells and is anemic.
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What chemicals can cause leukemia?

IARC classifies benzene as “carcinogenic to humans,” based on sufficient evidence that benzene causes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). IARC also notes that benzene exposure has been linked with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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What lifestyle choices can cause leukemia?

But here are some known risk factors for leukemia:
  • Smoking. People who smoke are more likely to get acute myeloid leukemia (AML) than people who do not smoke.
  • Exposure to certain chemicals. ...
  • Chemotherapy in the past. ...
  • Radiation exposure. ...
  • Rare congenital diseases. ...
  • Certain blood disorders. ...
  • Family history. ...
  • Age.
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How do you develop leukemia?

Leukemia develops when the DNA of developing blood cells, mainly white cells, incurs damage. This causes the blood cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. Healthy blood cells die, and new cells replace them. These develop in the bone marrow.
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How long do you have leukemia before symptoms?

The signs or symptoms of leukemia may vary depending on whether you have an acute or chronic type of leukemia. Acute leukemia may cause signs and symptoms that are similar to the flu. They come on suddenly within days or weeks. Chronic leukemia often causes only a few symptoms or none at all.
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What are the 4 main types of leukemia?

There are 4 main types of leukemia, based on whether they are acute or chronic, and myeloid or lymphocytic: Acute myeloid (or myelogenous) leukemia (AML) Chronic myeloid (or myelogenous) leukemia (CML) Acute lymphocytic (or lymphoblastic) leukemia (ALL)
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Does leukemia run in families?

Leukemia is generally not considered a hereditary disease. However, having a close family member with leukemia increases your risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
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Can leukemia be caused by stress?

Clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that stress-related biobehavioral factors are associated with accelerated progression of several types of cancer, including solid epithelial tumors and hematopoietic tumors such as leukemia (Antoni et al., 2006; Chida et al., 2008).
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What gender does leukemia affect the most?

Gender: Men are more likely than woman to develop leukemia. Age: The risk of most leukemias increase with age. The median age of a patient diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is 65 years and older.
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Is leukemia caused by a virus?

A type of virus that infects T cells (a type of white blood cell) and can cause leukemia and lymphoma. Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 is spread by sharing syringes or needles, through blood transfusions or sexual contact, and from mother to child during birth or breast-feeding.
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What are the 5 stages of leukemia?

What are the stages of CLL?
  • Stage 0. The blood has too many white blood cells called lymphocytes. This is called lymphocytosis. ...
  • Stage I. The blood has too many lymphocytes. ...
  • Stage II. The blood has too many lymphocytes. ...
  • Stage III. The blood has too many lymphocytes. ...
  • Stage IV. The blood has too many lymphocytes.
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What are the symptoms of leukemia in adults?

Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:
  • Fever or chills.
  • Persistent fatigue, weakness.
  • Frequent or severe infections.
  • Losing weight without trying.
  • Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen.
  • Easy bleeding or bruising.
  • Recurrent nosebleeds.
  • Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae)
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What type of leukemia is curable?

While it is similar in many ways to the other subtypes, APL is distinctive and has a specific treatment regime. Treatment outcomes for APL are very good, and it is considered the most curable type of leukemia, with cure rates as high as 90%.
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Does leukemia show up in blood work?

Blood tests.

By looking at a sample of your blood, your doctor can determine if you have abnormal levels of red or white blood cells or platelets — which may suggest leukemia. A blood test may also show the presence of leukemia cells, though not all types of leukemia cause the leukemia cells to circulate in the blood.
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What are leukemia spots?

Tiny spots called petechiae

One symptom that some people with leukemia might notice is tiny red spots on their skin. These pinpoints of blood are called petechiae. On fair and light skin tones, these may appear as red dots. On darker skin tones, they may be darker than the surrounding skin and less noticeable.
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What does leukemia fatigue feel like?

Unlike the fatigue that healthy people experience from time to time, CRF is more severe, often described as an overwhelming exhaustion that cannot be overcome with rest or a good night's sleep. Some people may also describe muscle weakness or difficulty concentrating.
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