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Biggest Risk Factors for Developing Lymphoma

By: Jeff Hayward on Tuesday, November 27th

Lymphoma is actually a cancer that starts in the cells that are meant to fight infections, located primarily in the lymph nodes and bone barrow, according to WebMD. “When you have lymphoma, lymphocytes change and grow out of control,” it explains.

There are actually two types of lymphoma – Hodgkin (HL) and Non-Hodgkin (NHL), which involve different types of lymphocyte cells, it notes. However, here are 13 risk factors for lymphoma in general…

1. Weakened Immunity

The Canadian Cancer Society says having a compromised immune system can boost risk of NHL. There are different ways this can happen; you may have a weakened immune system from birth, known as congenital immune system damage, or it could develop over your lifetime, called acquired immune system damage.

However, “No matter when your immune system is damaged, it doesn’t change your risk for developing NHL,” it adds. Factors that can damage your immune system include HIV, autoimmune disorders, as well as certain infections such as Hepatitis B and C, it warns.

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