A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.
It is possible to develop
Hodgkin’s disease
with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing Hodgkin’s disease. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.
Risk factors for Hodgkin's disease include:
Medical Conditions
Immunodeficiency or autoimmune disorders, including the presence of HIV, increase your risk of Hodgkin’s disease.
Infections
Hodgkin’s disease seems to occur more often in people who have been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus or
HIV
.
Age
Hodgkin’s disease seems to occur more often in people between the ages of 15-40 and over age 55. Peaks occur at age 20 and age 70.
Gender
Slightly more males than females are diagnosed each year.
Genetic factors
Having a close relative with Hodgkin’s lymphoma increases your chances of developing the disease. If your parent, child, or sibling has Hodgkin’s disease, your risk is increased threefold. If a younger brother or sister has Hodgkin’s disease, your risk is increased sevenfold.
Ethnic Background
People of European descent are more likely to develop Hodgkin’s disease than people of other ethnic groups.
Hodgkin disease. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated March 8, 2013. Accessed April 30, 2013.
Hodgkin lymphoma. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
website. Available at:
http://www.lls.org/#/diseaseinformation/lymphoma/hodgkinlymphoma/
. Updated March 15, 2012. Accessed April 30, 2013.
Hodgkin lymphoma. National Cancer Institute
website. Available at:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/hodgkin
.
Accessed April 30, 2013.