Free Paper for Epidemiology of Leukaemia

Reports by the American Cancer Society indicate that leukemia is interpreted as cancer of the blood caused by abnormalities in hematopoiesis (Karol et al., 2016). Around the globe, Leukaemia is among the frequently occurring forms of cancer, affecting at least 2.7 percent of individuals in all cancer types (Karol et al., 2016). Leukaemia exists in distinct types, including; chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The risk factor epidemiology model identifies determinants associated with increased risks of infection or disease. This essay focuses on analyzing leukemia through the risk factor epidemiology model to determine its susceptibility and vulnerability.

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Risk Factors for Leukemia, Frequency, and Pattern

The risk of developing leukemia increases with the age of an individual, although the disease may develop in individuals below 20 years old (Ref Ross et al., 2005). Generally, men are more likely to develop leukemia than women. For instance, for an individual diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or chronic myeloid leukemia, the median age is 65 years or more. Acute lymphocytic leukemia occurs mostly among people below 20 years of age (Liu et al., 2016).

Factors Determining Exposure to the Risk Factors

Some of these risk factors include taking a high dose of ionizing radiation, rare viruses, longer periods of getting exposed to benzene, smoking, alkylating agents, also known as chemotherapy drugs, and genetic abnormalities like Downs syndrome (Ref Ross et al., 2005). The associations of these risk factors are dependent on the type of leukaemia with adult’s risk factors being distinct from those of children. For children, exposure to ionizing radiation and parents to pesticides and other chemicals could enhance the risk of acute lymphocytic leukemia, while in adults, smoking, agricultural exposures, and benzene may result in elevated risks.

Genetic Factors Influencing Susceptibility And Vulnerability

Some studies suggest that most individuals who develop leukemia lack any familial connections (Karol et al., 2016). However, an individual diagnosed with first-degree chronic lymphocytic leukemia or a person whose identical twin has had or has Acute myeloid leukemia or acute lymphocytic leukemia can easily develop the disease. According to Karol et al. (2016), leukemia is a genetic disease, although it is not hereditary in most cases. It is related to an individual's DNA, which is responsible for the development, growth, and function of bone cells. Leukemia develops based on the mutations in the DNA of bone marrow cells and results in abnormal development in the blood and bone marrow. Sometimes parents could pass on particular mutation genes or ancestral conditions that increase the risk of a child developing leukemia. For instance, familial acute myeloid leukemia (FAML) is an inherited form of acute myeloid leukemia. People with FAML have altered CEBPA genes.

Environmental And Social Factors Influencing Susceptibility And Vulnerability

Studies suggest that exposure to ionizing radiation is a well-documented risk factor of Acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). According to Gudzenko et al. (2015), an individual exposed to strong electromagnetic fields is highly suspected to be of etiological essence for ANLL. Evidence indicates that handling benzene and other organic solvents frequently is a risk factor of leukemia (Gudzenko et al., 2015). Although hazardous substances in petrol products have not been defined yet, exposure to petrol products is a significant risk factor. While ALL in children is linked to ionizing radiation, CML also follows high exposure to doses of ionizing radiation. These exposures are of insignificant essence to the development of CLL. Some studies have also indicated that a highly abnormal incidence of CLL may be found among agriculturalists in America.

Social, Psychological, Family, Economic, and Community Effects

The diagnosis of leukemia in both children and adults has a psychological and economic impact on the families and communities of the patients. Some patients get hopeless regarding getting cured and or living with the chronic disease. The community whose neighbor is ill gets fear and anxiety, especially regarding the survival of the patient, with most people concluding on the possibility of death (Redaelli et al., 2003). This fear necessitates the establishment of reputed cancer centers in communities where cancer patients can get a second opinion and regain their faith in treatment. The establishment of these centers requires spending of money that strains community resources to a certain degree, regardless that it is essential. Families involved might develop anxiety and depression and also economic strain since they spend a lot of money on drugs and chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Through an analysis of leukemia using the risk factor epidemiology model, it is evident that any individual, young and old, is vulnerable and susceptible to the disease. The social and psychological aspects of the disease are both widespread and substantial. It is vital that everyone recognizes these issues and ensure that they pay attention to the treatable symptoms of the disease to improve cancer care and management.

References

Gudzenko, N., Hatch, M., Bazyka, D., Dyagil, I., Reiss, R. F., Brenner, A., ... & Mabuchi, K. (2015). Non-radiation risk factors for leukemia: A case-control study among Chornobyl cleanup workers in Ukraine. Environmental Research, 142, 72-76. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935115001942

Karol, S. E., Mattano Jr, L. A., Yang, W., Maloney, K. W., Smith, C., Liu, C., ... & Cheng, C. (2016). Genetic risk factors for the development of osteonecrosis in children under age 10 treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 127(5), 558-564. https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/127/5/558/35071/Genetic-risk-factors-for-the-development-of

Liu, C., Yang, W., Devidas, M., Cheng, C., Pei, D., Smith, C., ... & Maloney, K. W. (2016). Clinical and genetic risk factors for acute pancreatitis in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 34(18), 2133. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4962704/

Redaelli, A., Stephens, J. M., Laskin, B. L., Pashos, C. L., & Botteman, M. F. (2003). The burden and outcomes associated with four leukemias: AML, ALL, CLL and CML. Expert review of anticancer therapy, 3(3), 311-329. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1586/14737140.3.3.311

Ref Ross, J. A., Spector, L. G., Robison, L. L., & Olshan, A. F. (2005). Epidemiology of leukemia in children with Down syndrome. Pediatric blood & cancer, 44(1), 8-12.erences https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pbc.20165