[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Does multiple myeloma run in families?

by Nancy Shamanna on Fri Jun 07, 2019 9:12 am

Hi Kevin,

I always enjoyed reading your columns! On the topic of myeloma occurring in families, I have read about 'clusters' of patients found in areas at a higher than usual incidence of myeloma and other cancers too. One such article is referenced below. Although published about 20 years ago, you can see the work of epidemiologists trying to find clues as to the incidence of this disease.

Multiple myeloma: clusters, clues, and dioxins.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8993797

[Kevin J]

Re: Does multiple myeloma run in families?

by Kevin J on Fri Jun 07, 2019 2:05 pm

Nancy,

Interesting article. Of the various environmental factors I considered, living near a body of water was not one of them. However, I grew up in Michigan along the St. Clair river, which connects Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair, and I definitely did a lot of fishing and consumed quite a bit of fish caught from the lakes and river.

Having noted that though, I personally think it's probably not just one item that causes multiple myeloma since there are more people that are exposed to the same various toxins, chemicals, etc. that don't get multiple myeloma. Instead, maybe it's being exposed to the right combination of several environment factors that cause the necessary mutations for multiple myeloma. Hopefully at some point researches can identify the factors that do cause it and potentially put guidance or processes in place that reduce the risk.

Thanks for posting the link.
Kevin.

[Colm]

Re: Does multiple myeloma run in families?

by Colm on Thu Jul 11, 2019 9:42 pm

I'm sure I read that, once you reach a certain age, MGUS becomes quite common? If that's the case, the link between multiple myeloma and MGUS in families isn't really that important?

[Music box lady]

Re: Does multiple myeloma run in families?

by Music box lady on Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:47 pm

My father had MGUS and seven years later I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and two years ago my cousin (father's side) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. So it looks like it runs in my family. My cousin was raised in the city and me in the country, so not the same environments.

[dianaiad]

Re: Does multiple myeloma run in families?

by dianaiad on Sat Jul 13, 2019 9:57 am

I don't know what the scientific support of any genetic predisposition to multiple myeloma is, but my daughter is having problems, and when her hematologist found out that I have multiple myeloma, he immediately decided that testing my daughter for it might be a good idea.

As for me, I'm going a bit more for the dioxin connection; I don't think anybody else in my family has MGUS or multiple myeloma, but I have been exposed to quite a few carcinogens through my husband's job, way back when.

I'm allergic to seafood, have lived in the desert since I was fourteen, and really don't much like fish.

Ah, well.

[Taco Cat]

Re: Does multiple myeloma run in families?

by Taco Cat on Sat Jul 13, 2019 7:31 pm

I discovered I have MGUS. I had my dad get tested and he has it too. That’s not so very remarkable in itself, but what is remarkable is that we both have IgA lambda MGUS. My doctor is doing some extensive blood work and testing on us both to see what links there might be. I’m going to have my brother get tested too. I think this is a strong indication of a genetic component. Maybe the tests will uncover something.