Am I at Risk for Multiple Mye... Health Article

There is no way to know for sure if you’re going to get multiple myeloma. And there is no known way to prevent it. Certain factors can make you more likely to get this type of cancer than another person. These are called risk factors. Unfortunately, doctors do not know what causes multiple myeloma. Most people who develop it have no known risk factors at all. The risk factors that have been found only slightly raise your chance of getting this type of cancer. Still, tell your doctor if you agree with any of the bolded statements.

The cancer is in my family.

You are more likely to get multiple myeloma if a brother or sister has it.

I have worked with chemicals.

Exposure to certain herbicides, petroleum products, and heavy metals may raise your risk of getting multiple myeloma. Also, if you work in the rubber or textile industries, or another industry that uses chemicals, you may be more likely to get this type of cancer. If you use industrial chemicals at work, be sure to follow the guidelines for working with them safely. If you have questions, contact one of these resources.

• Your local union

• The Center to Protect Workers’ Rights at 1-301-578-8500 or www.cpwr.com

• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674) or www.cdc.gov/niosh

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742) or www.osha.gov

I have been exposed to large amounts of radiation.

People who have been exposed to high levels of radiation, such as the survivors of the atom bomb, have a higher risk for multiple myeloma.

I tend to get chronic infections.

People who have myeloma have a problem with the cells that are meant to protect their immune system. Sometimes, people who have chronic infections, such as sinus, lung, or joint infections, are more at risk for developing multiple myeloma. If you have chronic infections, it does not necessarily mean that you will develop multiple myeloma. 

I have a plasma cell disease.

Certain plasma cell diseases such as solitary plasmacytoma and MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) can develop into multiple myeloma.

A plasmacytoma is a collection of plasma cells found in one location instead of throughout the bone marrow, soft tissue, or bone. People who have MGUS have the same abnormal proteins, called M proteins, as people with myeloma, except there is not cancer.

I am overweight.

A study by the American Cancer Society has found that being obese increases a person’s risk of having multiple myeloma. ¹