Prevention of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Executive Summary

Studies are still evaluating the factors accountable for causing acute lymphocytic leukemia, thereby devising ways to prevent these diseases. Since most people with acute lymphocytic leukemia do not have many known risk factors, there is no best way to prevent most ALL cases. Treating other cancers with chemotherapy or radiation may cause some secondary (treatment-related) leukemia. Avoiding known cancer-causing chemicals, such as benzene, might lower the risk of getting ALL. But most experts agree that exposure to environmental chemicals and the workplace accounts for only a tiny portion of leukemias.

Prevention of Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia

It is not clear what causes most cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Since most people with acute lymphocytic leukemia do not have many known risk factors, there is no best way to prevent most ALL cases ^​1​.

Treating other cancers with chemotherapy or radiation may cause some people secondary (treatment-related) leukemias. Doctors are seeing to figure out how to treat these cancers without raising the risk of secondary leukemia. But for now, the benefits of treating life-threatening cancers with chemotherapy and radiation must be balanced against the slight chance of getting leukemia years later.

Avoiding known cancer-causing chemicals, such as benzene, might lower the risk of getting ALL. But most experts agree that exposure to environmental chemicals and the workplace accounts for only a tiny portion of leukemias.

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