Risk factors of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Know the most common risk factors.
There are several factors that may increase the risk of CLL. Here are a few:
- Age: The number of people with CLL starts to increase after age
60
- Sex: Men are slightly more likely than women to develop CLL
- Race: CLL is more common in North America and Europe than in Asia
- Family history: A family history of CLL may increase the risk
- Chemicals: Exposure to certain herbicides and insecticides have
been linked to an increased risk of CLL
With the exception of exposure to chemicals, most factors that put people at risk
for CLL are beyond control. However, regular blood tests can help doctors diagnose
the disease at an early stage. And finding CLL early gives doctors more opportunity
to treat it.
Find out about the signs and symptoms of CLL