Leukemia is a type of cancer that develops in the bone marrow or the bones. Among all the types of cancers in the United States, about 10% is likely to be leukemia. While you cannot be sure who gets the disease and who does not, here are some top tips to prevent leukemia. These tips have a huge chance of helping you reduce your risk of developing tumors in your bone and bone marrow.

• Stay within healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) levels: Your weight plays an important role in deciding who gets leukemia and who doesn’t. Excess fat in the body modifies the DNA, causing abnormal changes. When you are obese, you put yourself at a higher risk of developing the condition. Check your BMI levels and make sure it lies within the healthy range.
• Quit smoking: One of the top tips to prevent leukemia is to stop smoking right as soon as possible. Smoking is one of the biggest preventable causes of almost all types of cancers, including leukemia. The carcinogens in cigarettes seem to alter the existing DNA in people, resulting in the development of abnormal cell growth. Take professional help if you can’t quit the habit.
• Stay away from benzene: Another very useful tip to prevent leukemia is to stay away from benzene in all forms. This chemical is proven to be carcinogenic in nature but is still used in so many products including paint, adhesives, resins, pesticides, and even gasoline. Inhaling the fumes of benzene puts you at very high risk of developing leukemia. Working in an industry that uses benzene as a raw material is also a risky prospect you should avoid.
• Do not breathe formaldehyde: Another chemical that is closely associated with increasing your risk of developing leukemia is formaldehyde. This chemical is commonly found in air fresheners, wallpapers, medical laboratories, and in pressed wood. It is a straight trigger for causing leukemia. Formaldehyde is a common gas released in building construction areas. If you work in construction, make sure you wear protective gear every single day.
• Know your gene mapping: A proactive tip to prevent leukemia is to understand your gene mapping. For some people, genetic modifications or hereditary can both play a role in causing leukemia. You can know how risky you are by getting your gene mapping done and talking to your doctor about it. For people who are at high risk, regular monitoring can help diagnose the disease early, and thereby, improve the success rate of the treatment.

All these tips to prevent leukemia will help you stay healthy and tumor-free. Most of these risk factors can be controlled by the individual. Take a conscious effort to stay fit, breathe in fresh and unpolluted air, and be physically active. All this will lower your risk status and will ensure you stay cancer-free.