Recent findings that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is seasonal strongly suggest that seasonal factors affect the development and/or proliferation of AML, according to a study published in the British Journal of Haematology. Researchers investigated the potential seasonal and long-term trends in AML diagnosis in an overall population and in subgroups based on age and sex. They evaluated 26,472 cases of AML diagnosed between 2004 and 2015. An upward long-term trend was observed, with monthly incidence rates of AML annually increasing by 0.4%, based on multivariable Poisson generalized linear autoregressive moving average modeling. January had the highest incidence rate of AML, with a minimum average difference of 7% when compared with February, and a maximum average difference of 16% compared with August and November. Among subgroups according to age and sex, seasonal effect was consistent. Seasonal factors, “such as infectious agents or environmental triggers, influence the development and/or proliferation of AML pointing to prevention opportunities,” the study authors wrote.

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