Question

-The nurse is screening client for those at increased risk for developing cancer. At highest risk for developing leukemia is the client who.

Answer 1

Leukemia

              Leukemia is cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Many types of leukemia exist. Some forms of leukemia are more common in children. Other forms of leukemia occur mostly in adults. Leukemia usually involves the white blood cells.

Highest risk for developing Leukemia in Clients with:

a) Gender

            Men are more likely than woman to develop leukemia

b) Age

            The risk of most leukemias increase with age . The median age of a patient diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is 65 years and older. However, most cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) occur in people under 20 years old. The median age of an ALL patient at diagnosis is 15.

c) Blood disorders

               Certain blood disorders, including chronic myeloproliferative disorders such as polycythemia vera, idiopathic myelofibrosis and essential thrombocytopenia increase the chances of developing AML.

d) Family History

                 Most leukemias have no familial link. However, if you are a first-degree relative of a CLL patient, or if you have an identical twin who has or had AML or ALL, you may be at an increased risk for developing the disease.

e) Congenital Syndrome

              Some congenital syndromes including Down syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Bloom syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia and Blackfan-Diamond syndrome seem to raise the risk of AML.

f) Smoking

                   Although smoking may not be a direct cause of leukemia, smoking cigarettes does increase the risk of developing AML.

g) Radiation

               Exposure to high-energy radiation (e.g., atomic bomb explosions) and intense exposure to low-energy radiation from electromagnetic fields (e.g., power lines).

h) Chemicals

                 Long-term exposure to certain pesticides or industrial chemicals like benzene is considered a risk for leukemia.

i) Electromagnetic Fields

                   Prolonged exposure, such as living near power lines, may increase a person’s risk for developing ALL.

j) Previous Cancer Therapy

                      Certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for other cancers are considered leukemia risk factors.