Blood Cancer Screening

Your doctor may use a number of lab and imaging tests to diagnose a blood cancer. Currently, there are no widely recommended screening tests to detect leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or other blood cancers before symptoms occur. Understanding your risk for blood cancer is important for early detection and improved treatment options. At Houston Methodist, we offer comprehensive consultations to help you understand your risks and take proactive steps to protect your health.

Risk Factors for Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma

A risk factor is anything that increases your odds of developing blood cancer, including genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. It is important to be aware of your individual risk factors. 

One or more risk factors does not guarantee you will develop leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. At the same time, few or no risk factors does not mean you will not develop blood cancer. Lifestyle and environmental factors can contribute to overall risk 

To discuss your specific risks and prevention tactics, book an appointment with one of our specialists. 

Leukemia Risk Factors

Risk factors vary by the type of leukemia. Common factors include: 

 

• Age – Some forms of leukemia occur primarily in children, while others are most common in older adults. 
• Chemical exposure – Exposure to chemicals such as benzene and petrochemicals can raise your risk for leukemia. 
• Family history – Your risk of developing leukemia is increased if a family member has had the disease. 
• Genetic syndromes – Some genetic disorders heighten the risk of developing leukemia. 
• Radiation exposure – Exposure to high levels of radiation — such as in a nuclear accident — increases your risk. 
• Sex – Leukemia is slightly more common in men than women. 
• Smoking – Smoking is a known risk factor for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). 
• Previous cancer treatment – Certain chemotherapies and radiation therapy for other cancers are risk factors for AML. 
• Other blood diseases – diseases such as myeloproliferative neoplasms (polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, myelofibrosis) increase the risk for AML.

Lymphoma Risk Factors

Risk factors vary by the type of lymphoma. Common factors include: 

 

• Age – Some lymphomas such as Hodgkin’s disease are common in younger people, but most occur in people as they get older. 
  
• Autoimmune diseases – Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren syndrome — and the drugs used to treat them — may increase the risk for certain lymphoma types. 
  
• Chemical exposure – Long-term exposure to pesticides, benzenes and petrochemicals may increase your risk. 
  
• Smoking – Tobacco exposure, especially smoking, increases your risk. 
  
• Family history – Your risk of developing lymphoma is increased if a family member (especially a first-degree relative such as a parent or sibling) has had the disease. 
  
• Geography – Hodgkin’s disease is less common in Asian countries. 
  
• Infections – Infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human T-cell leukemia virus and human herpes virus-8, increase your risk.  
  
• Radiation exposure – Exposure to high levels of radiation — such as in a nuclear accident — increases your risk. 
  
• Race and sex – Some forms of lymphoma are more prevalent depending on your race or sex. 

Myeloma Risk Factors

Risk factors vary by the type of myeloma. Common risk factors include:

 

• Age – The risk of myeloma increases with age, particularly in people over the age of 60. 
• Family history – A family history (including a parent or sibling) of myeloma can increase your risk. 
• Obesity – Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing myeloma. 
• Personal history – Having a history of solitary plasmacytoma (a tumor of the bone or soft tissue) or other plasma cell disorders such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), increases your risk. 
• Race – Myeloma is more common in African Americans than in other races. 
• Sex – Myeloma is more common in men than in women. 

Sophie Hoelscher was in her 20s, recently engaged, planning a wedding and moving into a new house when she was diagnosed with bulky Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She received advanced treatment from her team of experts at Houston Methodist. “They saved my life here,” Sophie says.  Read Sophie’s Story ➝