1960's - James Baldwin. A civil rights activist involved in the civil rights movement. In 1963, He was good friends with Harry Belafonte and other civil rights figures. Baldwin met with public figures to discuss the moral implications of the civil rights movement.
1 Certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, are associated with an increased risk of leukemia. 2  Exposure to certain chemicals. 3  Exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene â which is found in gasoline and is used by the chemical industry â also is linked to an increased risk of some kinds of leukemia. 4  Smoking. Previous cancer treatment. 2  People who've had certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for other cancers have an increased risk of developing certain types of leukemia. 3  Genetic disorders. 4  Genetic abnormalities seem to play a role in the development of leukemia.
Some of these changes may be the result of cancer, rather than the cause. As the cancer continues to grow, additional changes will occur. Even within the same tumor, cancer cells may have different genetic changes. Hereditary Cancer Syndromes. Inherited genetic mutations play a major role in about 5 to 10 percent of all cancers.