Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Risk Factors and Prevention

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Risk factors are things that raise your chances of getting a disease. For each person, there’s a mix of genetic, biological and lifestyle factors that play a part in cancer risk. When it comes to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), the risk factors may differ by disease subtype. Some factors are known to raise the risk for some subtypes but not others, or the link isn’t clear.

Take Charge of Your Health

Talk to your primary care provider if you have symptoms that you think may be non-Hodgkin lymphoma. UW Medicine Primary Care can help you get started. Learn about Fred Hutch's relationship with UW Medicine. 

Risk Factors for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 

In general:

  • NHL is more common with older age
  • It’s more common in men than women (but some subtypes are more common in women)
  • It’s more common in white people than in people of color
  • If your parent, child or sibling has had NHL, you are more likely to get it

Other Risk Factors

Here are some of the other factors that may affect your NHL risk. Remember, having risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll get NHL. And some people who get NHL don’t have any known risk factors.

Immune System

If your immune system is weakened or suppressed, your risk for NHL may be greater than average. You might be at higher risk if you:

  • Have an acquired immunodeficiency, including human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
  • Take medicine to suppress your immune system because you had an organ transplant

Risk for NHL is higher if you have certain conditions in which your immune system attacks your own tissues (autoimmune conditions). Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and celiac disease.

Radiation Exposure

If you had radiation therapy in the past for medical reasons, your risk for NHL is slightly higher. Other radiation exposure, such as from an accident at a nuclear reactor, also increases risk.

Environment

People who work in certain jobs or spend time in certain environments are more likely to get NHL. For example, there seems to be a link with certain chemicals that kill weeds or insects (herbicides or pesticides).

Infections

Certain viruses and bacteria have been linked with increased NHL risk. Examples include Epstein-Barr virus, human T-lymphotropic virus type I, hepatitis C, Helicobacter pylori, Borrelia burgdorferi, Chlamydia psittaci and Coxiella burnetti.

Inherited Conditions

People born with certain inherited conditions seem to be at higher risk of getting NHL later. These conditions include Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome.

Obesity

Obesity may be a risk factor. This is one of several areas where more research is needed.

How Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Can Be Prevented

There’s no clear answer for why some people get NHL and others don’t. So, there’s no clear way to prevent this disease. To help lower your risk, you can take steps to prevent or treat infections that are linked with NHL. You can also do things that keep your body weight in a healthy range. For example, be active and eat nutritious foods without getting more calories than you need.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Risk Factors and Prevention FAQ 

So far, researchers haven’t found clear links between things like diet and exercise and risk for NHL. But a 2020 study showed that a half-hour of brisk walking a day helped lower the risk in women. Learn more about exercise and cancer risk and what Fred Hutch researchers have to say about it.

“Many of the steps you can take to reduce your risk of cancer have the added benefit of helping to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and possibly even dementia,” said Garnet Anderson, PhD, senior vice president and director of Fred Hutch’s Public Health Sciences Division and holder of the Fred Hutch 40th Anniversary Endowed Chair. “There are plenty of reasons to make these changes.”

Read about ways to reduce your disease risk and stay healthy from Fred Hutch experts.

Some research has shown there may be links between NHL and:

  • Certain chemicals, like benzene, herbicides and pesticides
  • Certain medicines, like some chemotherapy drugs or drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis

If you have questions or concerns about these or any NHL risks, talk with your primary care provider. They can help you assess if you’re at increased risk and if there are ways to lower your risk.

If you have a family history that you believe could put you at higher risk for a blood cancer like NHL, you may want to connect with the Fred Hutch Hematologic Malignancy Clinic. The clinic helps people understand their risk of cancer using advanced DNA testing and genetic counseling. Your physician can refer you, or you can contact us directly to request an appointment.

“Being tested and finding out you may be at greater risk for developing a blood cancer matters. Many of our patients and their family members have received better, more precise care because their specific risk has been identified,” said hematologist Sioban B. Keel, MD.

Learn more about what happens during a visit to the Hematologic Malignancy Clinic.