There exists no better way to put this deadly disease in perspective than statistics. A look at the following figures elicits indications of risk factor groups and relevance.
From 1998-2002, the median age at leukemia diagnosis was 67 years. The percentages of people diagnosed with the disease based on age were as follows:
- 11.4 percent were diagnosed under age 20
- 5.2 percent between 20 and 34
- 5.9 percent between 35 and 44
- 9.7 percent between 45 and 54
- 13.9 percent between 55 and 64
- 20.5 percent between 65 and 74
- 23.2 percent between 75 and 84
- 10.1 percent at 85+ years of age
- 3.3 percent died under age 20
- 3.5 percent between 20 and 34
- 3.9 percent between 35 and 44
- 6.7 percent between 45 and 54
- 11.8 percent between 55 and 64
- 23.4 percent between 65 and 74
- 31.1 percent between 75 and 84
- 16.4 percent at 85+ years of age
All races: 10.2 per 100,000 men, 5.8 per 100,000 women
Caucasians: 10.4 per 100,000 men, 6.0 per 100,000 women
African American: 8.9 per 100,000 men, 5.4 per 100,000 women
Asian/Pacific Islander: 5.3 per 100,000 men, 3.2 per 100,000 women
American Indian/Alaska Native 5.1 per 100,000 men, 3.0 per 100,000 women
Hispanic 6.6 per 100,000 men
Deaths from Leukemia by State
Leukemia Death Rates* by State, 2007†Bluer states have high mortality rate.
*Rates are per 100,000 and are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
*Rates are per 100,000 and are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
