A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. Although risk factors can influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health-care choices.
In general, leukemia can be caused by a hereditary genetic mutation or environmental factors (including smoking, chemical, or radiation exposure). However, many cases of leukemia have unknown causes.
The following factors may raise a person’s risk of developing PLL and HCL:
Age. HCL occurs primarily in people between 40 and 70.
Sex. Men are five times more likely to develop HCL than women.
Race. HCL is more common in white people and Ashkenazi Jewish men. PLL and HCL are rare in people of Japanese or Southeast Asian descent.
Last Updated: January 08, 2009
