CAUSE+Leukemia+Jenny+Karen+Emily


 * Causes of Leukemia**

Blood contains erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and platelets. “In leukemia, leukocytes multiply at an increased rate, resulting in an abnormally high number of white cells.” Patients with leukemia become weak as a result of loss of oxygen. Without enough oxygen, the "blue blood" is pumped to the lungs and causes the body to be unstable without oxygen

There are four main types of leukemia: acute lymphocytic, acute granulocytic, chronic lymphocytic, and chronic granulocytic. Leukemia cases are 5% of all cancer cases in the US.

There are many things that cause leukemia, such as environmental factors, radiation, and chemicals. Siblings of leukemia patients also have a higher chance of getting leukemia.

Radiation: The first indication came from the early 1900s soon after the discovery of X rays and first uses of radiation to treat cancer. Doctors who administered radiation got leukemia. After the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks on Japan, many people were exposed to radiation and developed leukemia. Marie and Pierre Curie both developed leukemia as a result of their work with high levels of radium.

Chemicals: Farmers and other agricultural workers exposed to pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers have 10-40% higher chance to get leukemia. Exposure to chemicals like chloramphenicol and benzene can also cause leukemia.

Environmental: Certain environmental factors can case leukemia.

Quiz Question: What are the four main causes of leukemia?

Home-leukemia
 * HOME || CAUSE || EFFECTS || TREATMENT || PREVENTION || CHOICE || NOTES || MLA ||