Risks and causes of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)

We don’t know what causes most cases of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). But we do know that exposure to radiation can increase your risk of developing CML.

Having this risk factor doesn't mean that you will definitely develop cancer.

Radiation

Some studies show radiation can increase your risk of CML. Researchers found that atomic bomb survivors had an increased risk of leukaemia. There is a 20 year study of the workers who cleaned up after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986. It showed that even at low doses of radiation there is an increased risk of all types of leukaemia.