Risk factors of Leukaemia

Risk factors for blood cancer are as follows:

•    People who have been exposed to very high radiation levels are more likely to develop leukaemia.
•    Patients who have had medical treatment in the past that used a high-level exposure to radiation. The radiation that is diagnostic in nature, however, is of a much lower level and is not associated with blood cancer.
•    Workers in the chemical industry and other work-places where they are exposed to high benzene levels are at a risk of developing Leukaemia.
•    Patients who have undergone chemotherapy for the treatment of past cancers sometimes develop Leukaemia later.
•    Certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome, caused by abnormal chromosomes are likely to increase the risk of Leukaemia.
•    Human T-cell leukaemia, a rare type of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is caused by the virus Human T-cell leukemia virus-I (HTLV-I).
•    Patients suffering with a blood condition called Myelodysplastic syndrome are more at risk of developing acute myeloid leukaemia than others.