Can you prevent leukemia

Known risk factors for leukemia include:. Gender : Men are more likely than woman to develop leukemia. Age : The risk of most leukemias increase with age. However, most cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia ALL occur in people under 20 years old. The median age of an ALL patient at diagnosis is Blood disorders : Certain blood disorders, including chronic myeloproliferative disorders such as polycythemia vera, idiopathic myelofibrosis and essential thrombocytopenia increase the chances of developing AML.

Family history : Most leukemias have no familial link. However, if you are a first-degree relative of a CLL patient, or if you have an identical twin who has or had AML or ALL, you may be at an increased risk for developing the disease. There are a few lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of leukemia. These steps can also reduce your risk of other types of cancer. They include:. These prevention tips can be used to reduce your risk of both types of acute leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia ALL and acute myeloid leukemia AML.

There are few known risk factors for leukemia. Risk factors you may have some control over include smoking and exposure to environmental chemicals. There are very few known lifestyles or environmental risk factors for leukemia in children. This makes it very hard to predict or prevent. Some of the adult risk factors, like previous cancer treatment or an identical twin with leukemia also apply to children.

Unfortunately, risk factors for developing leukemia include cancer treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, and immune-suppressing drugs given to transplant patients. Medical research is being done to see if there are ways to treat cancer and care for organ transplant patients without increasing their risk for leukemia. Currently, the benefits of chemotherapy, radiation, and immune-suppressing drugs outweigh the slight increase in the risk for leukemia.

In both adults and children, the cause of leukemia is often unknown. If a substance calls for good ventilation, heed the instructions. Some products should only be used when wearing a respirator a regular mask may do nothing. Wearing gloves is also a must; skin is not a solid barrier.

A general rule is that if you wouldn't eat something, you should think twice about touching it without gloves. You can even reduce your exposure to some chemicals by adding houseplants to your home, which have been proven to improve air quality. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA did research to determine which houseplants are most beneficial in absorbing indoor air carcinogens.

The best houseplants for removing benzene include chrysanthemums, Gerbera daisies, peace lilies, and spider plants. For formaldehyde, the best choices appear to be Boston ferns, chrysanthemums, English ivy, golden pathos, Janet Craig dracaena, palms many types, including parlor palm , philodendron, peace lilies, rubber plants, and spider plants. Other good houseplants include ficus, Chinese evergreen, marginata, and warnecki.

For reducing carcinogens in indoor air, the magic number appears to be around 15 plants in 6-inch containers or the equivalent for every square feet of living space. It's important to keep in mind that some plants can be poisonous to children or pets, cause allergies in some people, or result in mold production. There are a remarkable array of diagnostic tests and treatment options for various medical issues today.

While helpful for their intended purposes, some may also raise the risk of leukemia. Diagnostic Medical Radiation. Imaging studies such as X-rays and CT scans use ionizing radiation to help healthcare providers diagnose disease.

The risk of leukemia related to these studies was first noted not long after X-rays were introduced and has been revisited in recent years, especially with regard to imaging studies for children. The risk of cancer due to medical radiation varies significantly with the particular studies that are done.

When talking about radiation exposure, healthcare providers use the term millisievert mSV or milligray mGy. It's not known exactly what level of exposure can lead to leukemia, but estimates have been made based on the risk found with atomic bomb exposures. The average American is exposed to around 3. The average yearly exposure to medical radiation has been increasing. In , the average American was exposed to 0. In , the average exposure was 3.

With occupational exposure, the exposure limit is 50 mSV per year or mSV over five years. The average radiation exposure of common imaging studies includes:.

Exposure to medical radiation is of greater concern with children than with older adults, both due to susceptibility to radiation and a longer period of time over which cancer could develop. Weighing Risks and Benefits. Oftentimes, the tests above will be needed, and the risk of missing a diagnosis such as appendicitis would outweigh the potential risk of radiation exposure.

That said, it's important to ask questions if one of these tests especially tests such as an abdominal CT in a child are recommended:. With children, it's also very important to ask if the amount of radiation used can be adjusted for a child's size as this is not always done, especially in non-pediatric and community hospitals. Radioactive Iodine Therapy. Radioactive iodine therapy RAI is a treatment that can be used for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer, where it is usually used as adjuvant therapy after surgery to get rid of any cancer cells that may have remained behind.

In a study , the risk of developing acute myelogenous leukemia AML was found to be almost 80 percent higher in those who received RAI than those who didn't. The increased risk of leukemia does not mean everyone should avoid RAI. Rather, the risk should be considered, along with the benefits, of various treatment options. Those who are considering RAI may want to opt for getting a second opinion, possibly at one of the larger National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers.

Those who have had RAI should be aware of the symptoms of leukemia , and may wish to talk to their healthcare providers about whether regular blood tests are needed. Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy. Radiation therapy for cancer can increase the risk of developing AML, with a peak risk occurring five to nine years after treatment. Some chemotherapy drugs increase the risk of leukemia in the beginning, with peak risk occurring five to 10 years after treatment. Most of the time, the benefits of treatment will far outweigh risks, but it can be helpful to talk to your healthcare provider about this when weighing potential treatment options.

Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. We hear a lot about healthy habits when it comes to other cancers, but less so with regard to leukemia, especially childhood leukemia. That said, and especially for adult leukemias, healthy habits may reduce your risk.

Eat a Healthy Mediterranean-Style Diet. In this study, the risk of CLL was compared between those who consumed a Western diet, Prudent diet, and the Mediterranean diet. Foods included in a typical Western diet include high-fat dairy products, processed meats, refined grains, sweets, convenience foods, and high-calorie beverages.

In contrast, the Prudent diet stresses low-fat dairy products, vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and juice. Foods common in the Mediterranean diet include fish, beans legumes , boiled potatoes, olives, fruits, and olive oil. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. Management of acute leukemias. Linet, M. The leukemias. Schottenfeld, D. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention.