Prevention for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Executive Summary

Studies are still evaluating the factors accountable for causing childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, thereby devising ways to prevent these diseases. Since most people with acute lymphocytic leukemia do not have many risk factors there is no known way to prevent most ALL cases. Some preventive measures include follow-up treatment after communicating with doctors, as cancer treatment with chemotherapy or radiation may cause leukemia. Avoiding known cancer-causing chemicals, such as benzene, might lower the risk of getting ALL.

Prevention for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

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

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

Avoiding known cancer-causing chemicals, such as benzene, might lower the risk of getting ALL ^​1​. But most experts agree that exposure to environmental chemicals and the workplace accounts for only a tiny portion of leukaemias.

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