What Causes CLL?
- The exact cause of CLL is unknown.
- Researchers believe it’s caused by some combination of genetic mutation in the DNA of blood-producing cells and exposure to something in the environment, such as chemicals or radiation.
- There are no known ways to prevent CLL, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
But researchers do believe it’s caused by some combination of genetic mutation in the DNA of blood-producing cells and exposure to something in the environment, such as chemicals or radiation. It’s a chronic disease that people can live with for years and treatment varies depending on whether the disease grows slowly or is more aggressive.
Read More According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, for most people there are no obvious reasons why they develop CLL. However, researchers have found a potential association between CLL and exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange, which was used in the Vietnam War from 1961-1971. Researchers have also found in a small number of cases, first-degree relatives of people with CLL are more likely to develop CLL than people who don’t have first-degree relatives with the disease. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, family members of someone with CLL are 7-8 times more likely to develop the disease. There are no known ways to prevent CLL, according to LLS.
The importance of genetic testing after a CLL diagnosis
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