Who’s Most at Risk for Blood Cancer?

Blood plays a vital role in how our bodies function. As blood circulates the body, it’s responsible for supplying all our organs with oxygen, nutrients and antibodies to fight infection and control bleeding. Blood is essential to life.

Unfortunately, about every 3 minutes, one person in the United States is diagnosed with blood cancer, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Blood cancers account for nearly 10 percent of new cancer cases in this country every year.   

Blood cancers occur when blood cells grow abnormally and multiply to the point of overwhelming normal blood cells, interfering with blood cell functionality. Blood cancers are caused by mutations in the DNA of blood cells and typically start in the bone marrow. This is the sponge-like material in the center of your bones where red and white blood cells and platelets are produced.

There are many kinds of blood cancers, but the three main types include:

• Leukemia: Cancer in the white blood cells
• Lymphoma: Cancer in the lymphatic system, an important part of the immune system
• Myeloma: Cancer in the plasma cells

Summa Health sheds light on blood cancers, common symptoms and who is most at risk for each main type. While some risk factors are non-modifiable, others can be decreased with a healthy lifestyle. That’s why understanding your risk factors is vital to making informed health decisions and developing healthy habits to reduce your chances of developing a blood cancer. 

Blood cancer symptoms

Symptoms for blood cancer vary by type, but common signs include:

• Fever and chills
• Coughing
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
• Persistent fatigue and weakness
• Bone or joint pain
• Rash or itchy skin
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Frequent infections
• Night sweats
• Swollen or painful lymph nodes

Blood cancer risk factors by type

While the exact cause of blood cancer is not fully understood, researchers believe the causes are a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors vary based on the specific blood cancer type.

Leukemia risk factors

Leukemia is the most common blood cancer. There are many types of leukemia, but in general it occurs in the bone marrow when abnormal white blood cells are produced too quickly. This interferes with the bone marrow’s ability to produce red blood cells and platelets. 

Factors that increase the risk for leukemia include:

• Advancing age
• Being male
• Family history of blood cancer
• Smoking
• Genetic disorders like Down syndrome
• Chronic exposure to high doses of radiation or industrial chemicals
• History of chemotherapy or radiation cancer treatment

Lymphoma risk factors

Lymphoma is a blood cancer that originates in cells in the lymphatic system, which helps the body fight infection. There are two main forms: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

Factors that increase the risk for lymphoma include:

• Advancing age, although people between the ages of 15 and 35 are at risk for Hodgkin lymphoma
• Being male
• Family history of blood cancer
• History of infection and disease. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mono, can increase the risk for Hodgkin and autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can increase the risk for non-Hodgkin
• Weakened immune system
• Chronic exposure to certain industrial chemicals and radiation

Myeloma risk factors

Myeloma is a blood cancer that starts in the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system by making antibodies to attack germs. Symptoms usually don’t appear until the cancer is widespread and advanced. 

Factors that increase the risk for myeloma include:

• Advancing age
• Being male
• Being African-American
• Family history of blood cancer or other plasma cell diseases, such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or solitary plasmacytoma
• Being overweight or obese
• Chronic exposure to radiation and chemicals

When to talk to your healthcare provider

Unfortunately, there are no preventative screening tests for blood cancers. If you have a family history of blood cancer or unusual symptoms, such as swollen lymph nodes with persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, frequent infections and night sweats, talk to your healthcare provider. 

Fortunately, survival rates from blood cancers have improved in recent years thanks to advanced treatments, especially when diagnosed and treated early. 

Summa Health Cancer Institute treats more than 2,000 cancer patients each year. For questions or concerns, and to schedule an appointment, call 330.375.6364.