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Real members of MyLeukemiaTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Without offending anyone I have noticed, a lot of people are older when diagnosed. Is it not normal for somebody in their 50s?

A MyLeukemiaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Nevada, MO

I have been pretty Dang, healthy, my whole life, and then this came out of nowhere. I was just having blood tests and stuff done with my mental health. Doctor to find out what medicines will work best for me. And my depression, and she had me do blood panels, well, that's when the numbers were high. She sent me to my primary across the hall
There we go. That's when she did. I guess a more extensive blood panel. And that's when they found out
Why does this just come out of nowhere? Did I do… read more

October 22
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Reactions
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

Diagnosed at 69! Never really knew anything… fatigue but i thought it was due to MS and a very stressful move! 😵‍💫

October 23
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

I retired at 60 and focused on having a healthy future. I was very active and visited the gym 3 times a week and relaxed one day a week. Then at 71 a blood test told me I had CLL. After 10 months watching my blood test numbers increase fast I requested medication. I learned my medication uses the "BTK Inhibitor" to kill those bad cells. I learned the medication is good for 10 to 20 years. I learned there are many different types of medications to control those bad cells. I never had chemo which I do not consider great and it has very bad ill affects. My life and my blood tests are 100% normal. I eat healthy and exercise to benefit my healthy. My wife limits me to 2 hours outside doing heavy sweaty work like cutting and splitting oak for fire wood this winter. I hope you can have a happy and healthy future by learning about your health and the different medications. Find answers to your questions so you can be normal again.

October 25
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

Good information for our community

October 22
MyLeukemiaTeam

First of all, being diagnosed in your 50s while feeling otherwise healthy is completely disorienting — and your feelings about it make total sense. While leukemia does become more common with age, it absolutely can and does occur in people in their 50s. You are not an outlier.

The honest truth is that leukemia often develops Show Full Answer

First of all, being diagnosed in your 50s while feeling otherwise healthy is completely disorienting — and your feelings about it make total sense. While leukemia does become more common with age, it absolutely can and does occur in people in their 50s. You are not an outlier.

The honest truth is that leukemia often develops from gene mutations that happen quietly over time, with zero warning signs. It's not caused by anything you ate, drank, or did. Most cases have no single identifiable cause, which is genuinely frustrating to hear, but it also means this was not your fault. Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine — it's a fair question and one others have wondered about too. There is currently no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine causes leukemia. The vaccine does not affect your DNA or cause blood cells to become cancerous.

Leukemia develops from DNA mutations in blood cells, and those changes can begin years before a diagnosis is ever made. Research has shown that the genetic changes linked to leukemia often appear long before symptoms or abnormal blood work show up.

Some known risk factors include:

- Older age
- Prior exposure to radiation or chemotherapy
- Exposure to certain chemicals like benzene
- Tobacco smoke exposure
- Certain inherited genetic conditions

Many people diagnosed with leukemia have none of these risk factors at all. Sometimes it truly does just come out of nowhere, and that's one of the hardest parts of this diagnosis to sit with.

October 22
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

Hi Lori. No concrete answer for any of us who have been diagnosed. I was diagnosed at 51 when I went for routine physical. Basically healthy…eat healthy… very active, etc. Many people on this site have been diagnosed at younger ages as well. Try not to overthink it ok…easier said than done..but in reality it’s best to continue to take care of yourself…eat healthy…sleep good…enjoy life…mindset & acceptance is everything..

October 22

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