Risk Factors for Multiple Myeloma
There is no way to know for sure if you're going to get multiple
myeloma. There is also no known way to prevent it. Certain factors
increase your likelihood of developing this type of cancer.
Doctors do not know what causes multiple myeloma. The risk factors
that have been found only slightly raise your chance of getting this
type of cancer. However, it’s important to tell your doctor if you are
having symptoms
of multiple myeloma and any of the following risk factors.
-
Age over 65: Growing older increases the chance of developing
multiple myeloma. Most people with myeloma are diagnosed after age
65. People younger than 35 are rarely affected with the
disease.
-
Men: Men are slightly more likely to develop multiple myeloma
than women.
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African-Americans: The risk of multiple myeloma is highest
among African-Americans and lowest among Asian-Americans. The reason
for the difference between racial groups is not known.
-
Family history: You are more likely to get multiple myeloma
if a parent or a sibling has it. Researchers are studying families
in which more than one person has multiple myeloma. However, such
families are extremely rare.
-
Work with chemicals: Exposure to petroleum products may raise
your risk of getting multiple myeloma. If you use industrial
chemicals at work, be sure to follow the guidelines for working with
them safely.
-
Exposure to high levels of radiation: People who have been
exposed to high levels of radiation, such as the survivors of the
atom bomb, may have a higher risk for multiple myeloma. But while
researchers have suggested that exposure to radioactivity may be a
risk factor, it actually accounts for a very small number of
cases.
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History of 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 abnormal 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 no cancer.
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Being overweight or obese: Being overweight or obese may
increase your risk for developing multiple myeloma.