Leukaemia can affect people of all ages.

Children tend to get acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Acute myeloblastic leukaemia is the most common acute leukaemia. It mainly affects adults.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is most common in the over 50s, but younger people occasionally get it.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia can affect all age groups, but it becomes more common as age increases.

We don't really know what causes leukaemia – research is going on to find out more. You may be more likely to get acute myeloblastic leukaemia if:

• you have been exposed to high doses of radiation
• you have been exposed to benzene (a chemical in petrol) over a long time
• you have had chemotherapy treatment for another cancer.

Exposure to radiation may also increase your risk of getting chronic myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.