While much more research is still needed to fully understand why some people develop leukemia and others do not, some risk factors are known. More than 65 percent of people diagnosed with leukemia are over age 55, and the majority of those people are white men. Working with certain chemicals can also increase the risk of leukemia. For instance, benzene is a chemical commonly found in gasoline-related industries that has been linked to leukemia risk. Benzene is also found in cigarette smoke, which is also a risk factor for leukemia. Radiation exposure, as well as certain disorders and genetic diseases such as Down syndrome, can also increase leukemia risk.
