Leukaemia is a broad term that covers multiple forms of cancer that affect blood cells in bone marrow, and the lymphatic system. This particular form of cancer predominantly affects white blood cells, resulting in excessive and abnormal growth of these cells, meaning that they do not work as they should.
While there is no sole cause of leukaemia, there are multiple reasons why an individual may be more susceptible to developing the condition. The factors that can increase the risk of leukaemia include genetic, lifestyle and environmental considerations.
Major Risk Factors for Leukaemia
Genetics
Although they are relatively rare, there are certain genetic conditions that result in an individual being at increased risk of developing the condition. Clearly, a family history of leukaemia illustrates the most obvious example of increased risk. Other conditions, including Down’s Syndrome, Blood Syndrome, Ataxia Telangiectasia and Fanconi Anaemia, statistically also mean that someone may be more susceptible to leukaemia.
Exposure to Radiation or Chemicals
Although use of low level ionising radiation is used in many routine examination procedures and is relatively harmless, exposure to high-levels of ionising radiation can be a major risk factor when it comes to leukaemia. Since Marie Curie discovered radiation in the 1900s, there have been several notable historical events that have illustrated the substantial risk associated with exposure to ionising radiation. Perhaps the most notable of these – the Chernobyl nuclear disaster – resulted in many of the workers and residents close by developing leukaemia and other radiation-caused illnesses.
Exposure to certain chemicals can also result in an increased risk of leukaemia. Benzene is a chemical that could increase susceptibility to the condition, and is present in industrial processes such as petroleum and rubber, and is present in vehicle pollution.
Chemotherapy
If an individual has received chemotherapy in the past, this can marginally increase the risk of developing leukaemia in the future. Depending on which drugs and treatments were used during the chemotherapy, the risk should still be relatively small. The increased susceptibility is also dependant on how long an individual received the treatment for.
Smoking
A clear risk factor across leukaemia and all cancers is the risk posed by smoking cigarettes. Cigarettes contain benzene and many other harmful chemicals, and there is growing evidence that children are at more risk of developing leukaemia and other cancers if their parents smoke, even in the period before conception and birth.
Summary
Although it isn’t possible to reduce the risk of developing leukaemia to zero, there are a number of health and lifestyle choices that can be taken and adopted to drastically reduce an individual’s susceptibility to developing the disease. While minimising your exposure to chemicals and radiation should be relatively straight-forward – depending on your profession – lifestyle changes like eating healthily and giving up or avoiding smoking can greatly reduce the risk of leukaemia.
To find out more about how Camford Medicals can provide support for you or the patients in your care, contact us today on 0207 631 4558.