Causes of Leukemia Disease
Chronic Lymphatic or CL Leukemia Causes

There are different causes of leukemia particularly what is known as Chronic Lymphatic Leukemic cells or CLL.

Did you know that... Children with Down’s Syndrome are 15 times more at risk for leukemic cells?

photo courtesy of T.N. Choo

The various causes can either start leukemic cells on their own or they work together to trigger abnormalities in the blood cells of your bone marrow.

What causes CLL? A lot has to do with your genetic make-up but there is also an environmental factor that is involved. There are risk factors for other types.

Click Other Causes of Leukemia to read about the other causes.

The known causes of CLL leukemic disease are...

1) Aging

Human aging is one of the major causes. In fact, 60 to 70% of leukemic cases develop among adults 50 years old and above. The chronic lymphatic type is common among adults and extremely rare among children.

For the type that commonly affects children, see ALL Leukemia.

Damage to your cells accumulate as you age and especially if you indulge in unhealthy habits like smoking that harm your immune system.

2) Chemicals

Exposure to cancer-causing agents such as benzene is another one of the primary CLL causes.

Risk for leukemic cells is 20 times more among those who have been exposed to benzene for long periods.

Other chemicals that are known as causes of leukemia include...

• solvents,
• dioxin,
• styrenes,
• butadienes, and
• ethylene oxide.

3) Family History

If you have a parent or a sibling who had CLL, you face a greater risk of getting sick with it as well.

4) Gender

Chronic Lymphatic Leukemic disease occurs more frequently among men than women.

5) Race

The disease is found to be more common among Europeans and North Americans compared to Asians.

6) Genetics

Is leukemia hereditary? To some degree, it is. Why?

Because your genetic make-up can influence your risk for certain types of leukemic cells.

For instance, CLL is rare among those of Asian descent but is especially common among those that belong to the Jewish race.

Other rare disorders such as Bloom's syndrome and Fanconi's anemia are passed on genetically. Such disorders are also risk factors for leukemic cells.

Prevention tip: Phytochemicals called saponins are very effective in killing leukemic cells. A huge amount of Phytochemicals is one of the benefits of a healthy vegetarian diet.

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