It is not possible to say what causes leukaemia in a single person. We do know there are some features that are more common in people who develop leukaemia. These features are called ”risk factors”.
But it is usually hard to be sure whether a risk factor contributed to the development of the cancer. And having one or more risk factors for leukaemia does not mean that someone will develop this cancer. In fact, many people who have leukaemia have no obvious risk factors.
Risk factors across different types of leukaemia include:
- exposure to high levels of radiation
- exposure to certain chemicals
- sex of the patient – some types of leukaemia are more common in men than in women
- smoking
- having an identical twin or another blood relative with a certain type of leukaemia
- certain genetic syndromes
- certain blood disorders.
There are a few known risk factors for childhood leukaemia.
Read more about risk factors for different types of leukaemia.
If you have any of these risk factors or you’re worried about your risk for leukaemia, yarn with your doctor, nurse, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker.