Risk Factors

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.

The cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is unknown, although infection with the Epstein-Barr virus may trigger the development of the cancer in approximately 30% of children and teens. People with immune system problems also have a higher risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma. This group includes:

• Children born with the hereditary condition of ataxia telangiectasia (due to immune system problems)
  
  
• Children with HIV/AIDS
  
  
• Children who are taking immune-system lowering drugs following an organ transplant