Chemicals: Long-term exposure to certain pesticides or industrial chemicals like benzene is considered a risk for leukemia. Electromagnetic fields: Prolonged exposure, such as living near power lines, may increase a person's risk for developing ALL.
Exposure to benzene increases the risk of developing leukemia and other blood disorders.
In addition, a patient can be born susceptible to Leukemia, but have his disease triggered by environmental factors such as toxic exposure. There are many types of blood disorders and, indeed, many types of blood cancer. But all types of Leukemia can be caused by toxic exposures, at home or at work.
Exposure to some chemicals and hazardous substances can increase the risk of cancer. A few well-known carcinogens are asbestos, nickel, cadmium, radon, vinyl chloride, benzidene, and benzene. These carcinogens may act alone or with another carcinogen to increase your risk.
Genetics. People with Down syndrome and certain other genetic conditions get leukemia more frequently. Ionizing radiation. Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation (such as radiation treatment for other cancers) has been associated with the development of all types of leukemia except CLL.
Cancer cells consume sugar at a higher rate than healthy cells, but they're also hungry for amino acids, the building blocks of proteins and other biomolecules. Researchers at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University have discovered a way to exploit that hunger to selectively block the growth of leukemias.
The lifetime risk of cancer from air pollutants, including those from indoor cleaning products, is estimated to be 0.06 to 0.1 (or 60 to 100 people for every 1,000) [2].
The Myth: "Isn't bleach a carcinogenic chemical?" The Fact: No, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has concluded that bleach does not cause cancer.
Benzene, asbestos, vinyl chloride, radon, and arsenic are examples of toxic substances that can increase the risk of cancer to those who are exposed. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified these substances as “known human carcinogens.”
There are many cancer myths, including stress, that haven't been proven to cause cancer. However, there are proven causes of cancer, and things you can do to reduce your risk.
Childhood leukemia activates in children when they live in exceptionally clean homes during the initial few years and then suddenly get exposed to infections. To prevent this, you must allow your kids to deal with some minor infections during their childhood.
Exposure to chemicals such as benzene (a solvent used in the cleaning industry and to manufacture some drugs, plastics, and dyes) may cause acute leukemia in adults and, rarely, in children. Chemical exposure is more strongly linked to an increased risk of AML than to ALL.
Age – Generally speaking, individuals over the age of 65 are more at risk for leukemia. Demographics – While anyone can conceivably develop leukemia, white males are statistically most susceptible. Radiation exposure – Exposure to radiation from an atomic bomb increases the likelihood that leukemia cells will form.
Breathing high amounts of chlorine gas can lead to a build-up of fluid in the lungs and severe shortness of breath that could lead to death if untreated. Immediately or within a few hours after breathing chlorine gas, the lungs can become irritated, causing coughing and/or shortness of breath.
The chemicals used in household products are generally of low toxicity and there is no evidence they cause cancer. They still have the potential to cause harm, for example through accidental poisoning in children or if used incorrectly.
VOCs are chemicals that vaporize at room temperature. Even natural fragrances such as citrus can react to produce dangerous pollutants indoors. VOCs and other chemicals released when using cleaning supplies contribute to chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions and headaches.
There is no known way to prevent leukemia, but avoiding tobacco and exposure to pesticides and industrial chemicals might help.
Leukemia develops when the DNA in blood cells called leukocytes mutate or change, disabling their ability to control growth and division. In some cases, these mutated cells escape the immune system and grow out of control, crowding out healthy cells in the bloodstream.
ALL is not a common cancer, accounting for less than half of 1% of all cancers in the United States. The average person's lifetime risk of getting ALL is about 1 in 1,000.