Does anyone know about Lukemia and the causes?

No one knows the exact causes of leukemia. Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets this disease and another does not. However, research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop leukemia. ~Studies have found the following risk factors for leukemia: ~Very high levels of radiation —People exposed to very high levels of radiation are much more likely than others to develop leukemia. Very high levels of radiation have been caused by atomic bomb explosions (such as those in Japan during World War II) and nuclear power plant accidents. ~Working with certain chemicals—Exposure to high levels of benzene in the workplace can cause leukemia. Benzene is used widely in the chemical industry. Formaldehyde is also used by the chemical industry. Workers exposed to formaldehyde also may be at greater risk of leukemia. ~Like all blood cells, leukemia cells travel through the body. Depending on the number of abnormal cells and where these cells collect, patients with leukemia may have a number of symptoms. ~Common symptoms of leukemia: ~Fevers or night sweats ~Frequent infections ~Feeling weak or tired ~Headache ~Bleeding and bruising easily (bleeding gums, purplish patches in the skin, or tiny red spots under the skin) ~Pain in the bones or joints ~Swelling or discomfort in the abdomen (from an enlarged spleen) ~Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck or armpit ~Weight loss ~Such symptoms are not sure signs of leukemia. An infection or another problem also could cause these symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat the problem. ~In the early stages of chronic leukemia, the leukemia cells function almost normally. Symptoms may not appear for a long time. Doctors often find chronic leukemia during a routine checkup. ~Leukemia is a type of cancer. Cancer is a group of many related diseases. All cancers begin in cells, which make up blood and other tissues. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place. ~Sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. Leukemia is cancer that begins in blood cells. ~In people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. The abnormal cells are leukemia cells. At first, leukemia cells function almost normally. In time, they may crowd out normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This makes it hard for blood to do its work. ~ My dad had Leukemia in 1990. He had to have a bone marrow transplant to get rid of it. It has been almost 18 years and he hasnt had it come back! It can be a very scarry thing. I hope some of the information I provided will help you.

I just lost the husband of a very close friend to lukemia. I just don't understand it. One day he was perfectly health and the next came down with a virus, that never went away. With in 6 months we lost him after a long pityful fight with lukemia. It just goes to show you how quickly you can loose someone that seems to be so young and healthy today. Who knows it could be you or me tomorrow being diagnosed. It seems it just appears without warning.

My cousin