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A risk factor is something that increases your chances of developing cancer.
It is possible to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your health care provider what you can do to reduce your risk.
Risk factors for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include the following:
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma seems to occur more often in people with the following characteristics:
Some non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are associated with the use of immunosuppressive drugs, such as azathioprine (Imuran) or cyclosporine (Sandimmune), that are used to prevent transplant rejection or to manage other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs weaken your immune system response.
The chance of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma increases with age. Among 20-year olds, about three cases occur for every 100,000 people. That increases to 51.5 cases per 100,000 among 60-year-old men and 38 cases per 100,000 among 60-year-old women. Among people older than 75, the incidence is 80 cases per 100,000.
About 28,200 males will be diagnosed this year with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, compared with 25,700 females. Why slightly more men develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is not known.
People who work around pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and solvents have a greater chance of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma than people who do not have this exposure. Researchers are still trying to determine what relationship exists between chemical exposures and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
People of European descent are more likely to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma than people of other ethnic groups. The reason is unknown.
Sources:
Abeloff, M. Clinical Oncology , 2nd ed., Orlando, FL: Churchill Livingstone, Inc.; 2000: 2658-2701.
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Rakel, R. Conn's Current Therapy 2002 , 54th ed., St. Louis, MO: W. B. Saunders Company; 2002: 434-439.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Last reviewed February 2003 by Francine Foss, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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