Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) causes
You’re not alone. Although it’s quite rare, around 750 people are diagnosed with CML each year in the UK.
Although we can’t say what exactly causes CML, there are some things that affect how likely you are to develop the condition.
CML is more common in older people. The median age at diagnosis is 60, which means that half of people with CML are under 60 and the rest are over 60.
CML is slightly more common in men than women, but we don’t know why.
The only clearly defined risk factor for CML is exposure to a large amount of high-energy (ionizing) radiation. By this, we mean a level similar to what you’d see after an atomic bomb explosion. It’s extremely unlikely that anyone in the UK would be exposed to a level of radiation high enough to increase the risk of getting CML.
There’s no evidence that family members of people with CML are at a higher risk of developing the condition than anyone else.