CML can occur at any age, with a median age at diagnosis of 66. Nearly half of all diagnoses are in people over 65. CML is slightly more common in males than females, the reason for which is unclear. The National Cancer Institute estimates over 9000 new cases of CML in 2024, representing about 0.5% of all new cancer cases in the US, and just under 1300 deaths. The 5-year relative survival rate from 2014 to 2020 was 70%.
The main risk factors for CML include:
- Radiation exposure: being exposed to high-dose radiation increases the risk of developing CML.
- Age: The risk of developing CML increases with age.
- Sex: CML is slightly more common in males than females.
