What Increases Your Risk

A risk factor is anything that makes you more likely to get a disease. Most people who have leukemia do not have any known risk factors. But things that increase your risk of having leukemia include:

• Smoking or using other tobacco products. This risk factor is linked to some cases of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).²
• Exposure to high levels of radiation. People who were close to atomic bomb explosions in Japan during World War II and people who were close to the 1986 nuclear plant accident in Chernobyl have higher rates of some kinds of leukemia.
• Exposure to chemicals, such as benzene and formaldehyde. Sometimes people are exposed to these chemicals where they work.
• Chemotherapy or radiation used to treat a previous cancer.
• Conditions caused by abnormal chromosomes, such as Down syndrome.
• Infection with a type of HIV known as HTLV-1.
• Other blood diseases, such as myelodysplastic syndromes.
• Your family history. In some cases, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) runs in families.

When To Call a Doctor

Call your doctor to schedule an appointment if you have any symptoms, such as:

• A new lump or swollen gland in your neck, under your arm, or in your groin.
• Frequent nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums or rectum, more frequent bruising, or very heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Frequent fevers.
• Night sweats.
• Unexplained appetite loss or recent weight loss.
• Feeling tired a lot without a known reason.
• Swelling and pain on the left side of the belly.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a period when your doctor is checking you regularly but not treating you. It is also called observation or surveillance. It means that you and your doctor will watch to see if you develop symptoms. It may be a treatment choice if you are an older adult, depending on the stage of the leukemia and your overall health.

Watchful waiting may give as good or better results than more aggressive treatment for early stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It is estimated that 1 out of 3 people who have CLL never need treatment.³ People who have chronic lymphocytic leukemia often live for a long time without treatment. Watchful waiting is not usually recommended for other types of leukemia.

During watchful waiting, you will:

• Have regular appointments with your doctor.
• Have regular medical tests, including scans and blood tests.
• Be told which symptoms to report to your doctor immediately.

Who To See

Health professionals who can evaluate symptoms of leukemia include the following:

• Family medicine physician
• Internist
• Pediatrician
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant

The diagnosis of leukemia will be done by a medical oncologist or hematologist. These specialists also treat leukemia.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.