Prevention of Aplastic Anemia
At this time, there are no known prevention strategies, however, identifying risk factors can often lead to timely diagnosis.
Risk Factors of Aplastic Anemia
A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting a disease. Aplastic anemia risk factors may be environmental or genetic. For example, people who’ve been exposed to high levels of nuclear radiation or to organic solvents (like toluene) without proper protection may be at a higher risk of developing aplastic anemia.
Your risk for developing aplastic anemia increases with:- a history of autoimmune disorders
- a history of viral infection, such as hepatitis
- pregnancy
- the use of certain medicines, such as sulfonamides and antiseizure medications
- long-term exposure to pesticides and certain chemicals, such as benzene
- certain inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, such as Fanconi’s anemia and Shwachman-Diamond’s syndrome
- exposure to dangerous chemicals that are commonly used on farms (for example, those used to destroy cocaine-producing coca plants in Colombia)
Not everyone with risk factors will develop aplastic anemia. If you have risk factors, it’s important to talk with your doctor. If you have an inherited family condition that may cause aplastic anemia, you may want to consider genetic counseling.
If you've been diagnosed with aplastic anemia or would like to speak with a hematology expert at the OSUCCC – James, please call 614-293-9441 or 800-293-5066. Telehealth options are available.