Risk factors for Increased Risk of Leukemia
Folic Acid Requirement
Maternal folic acid supplementation during pregnancy was associated with a reduced risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children in a study in Western Australia. [Lancet 2001;358(9297): pp.1935-40]
Increased Risk of Leukemia can lead to
Increased Risk of Leukemia could instead be
Thrombocytosis
CML usually occurs in adults but can occur at any age. CML is often found incidentally when an elevated white blood cell count is found. Thrombocytosis is often present. The spleen is usually enlarged. Most patients with CML present in the “chronic” phase of the disease, which usually last from 3 to 5 years. Adverse prognostic features include advanced age, basophilia, severe thrombocytosis, or more than one chromosome abnormality.
Recommendations for Increased Risk of Leukemia
Selenium
In evaluating 59 patients with lymphoid malignancies, such as Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, serum selenium concentrations were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Clinical stage was inversely associated with selenium levels.
Zinc
It was found that the copper to zinc ratio was significantly higher in patients with lymphoma or acute and chronic leukemias compared to control subjects. A person at increased risk of one of these cancers should check blood levels of copper and zinc to rule out abnormalities and make adjustments accordingly. Since zinc and copper are antagonistic, and zinc deficiency is relatively common, supplemental zinc is often used to improve this ratio. Zinc helps block the absorption of copper and acts to remove accumulated copper from the body as well as prevent its accumulation. [Rev. Invest. Clin, Nov-Dec. 1995;47(6): pp.447-52]
Key
| Weak or unproven link |
| Strong or generally accepted link |
| May do some good |
| Likely to help |
Glossary
Folic Acid
A B-complex vitamin that functions along with vitamin B-12 and vitamin C in the utilization of proteins. It has an essential role in the formation of heme (the iron containing protein in hemoglobin necessary for the formation of red blood cells) and DNA. Folic acid is essential during pregnancy to prevent neural tubular defects in the developing fetus.
Acute
An illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration.
Leukemia
Cancer of the lymph glands and bone marrow resulting in overproduction of white blood cells (related to Hodgkin's disease).
White Blood Cell
(WBC): A blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin: a blood corpuscle responsible for maintaining the body's immune surveillance system against invasion by foreign substances such as viruses or bacteria. White cells become specifically programmed against foreign invaders and work to inactivate and rid the body of a foreign substance. Also known as a leukocyte.
Chronic
Usually Chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.