Interesting information Chis and Rneb. A general incidence of higher multiple myeloma in agriculture workers who work with chemicals is something I have repeatedly come across over the years when reading about possible causes of myeloma. I have heard about cancer belts in Texas and Louisiana in areas where oil field and refinery workers live. I have never seen anything definitive linking to a specific agent, although the post Chris made on Roundup raises some questions in my mind. I use Roundup, but not nearly as much as a farmer might.
Maybe it is the cumulative exposure to a broad range of chemical agents that is the culprit and not any single agent. Hopefully in time research will be able to pin down something specific so people can take measures to protect themselves.
The only exposure in my background that jumps out at me is ionizing gamma radiation exposure from nuclear reactors and a few years I spent working in a shipyard environment. Shipyard workers are another class of workers who have higher incidences of myeloma and other cancers as well.
I doubt there is much of a link between recreational drug use and myeloma. If there is, I think it would be pretty weak. There are lots and lots of people who have used recreational drugs over decades and the health effects of using recreational drugs has been well studied. I think if there was any kind of link of significance it would have shown itself by now, but who knows, new things learned every day.
And smoking anything and inhaling it introduces some carcinogens. I heard a doctor on the radio talk about this comparing tobacco smoke to marijuana and even dried lettuce leaf. All will have carcinogens when burned but some a lot more so than others. He said that tobacco is particular bad.
Forums
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
For a few years I was heavy methamphetamine user. I managed to get my life straightened out, but I am pretty much convinced that is why I have myeloma (got myeloma 10 years after not touching the stuff). I also used to a heavy smoker (quit about the same time) and also used other drugs and smoked weed. Not just the chemicals in the drugs, but the stuff used to make it (benzene, etc) is highly toxic. I was pretty much addicted, so when I mean heavy, it was not a "recreational" type of habit.
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Anonymous
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Good point about the benzene Anonymous. I was not thinking about the purity of the recreational drugs. And who know what is sprayed on all the marijuana?
I remember listening to the radio last year where it reported that it was found that the majority of the medical marijuana being sold in clinics in southern California is coming from Mexico and probably originated with the drug cartels. This was because a lot of it had traces of an insecticide that is used to kill red ants, and the insecticide is banned in the United States but still widely used in Mexico. If I were to use medical marijuana, I would try to stick to the organically grown US product.
I remember listening to the radio last year where it reported that it was found that the majority of the medical marijuana being sold in clinics in southern California is coming from Mexico and probably originated with the drug cartels. This was because a lot of it had traces of an insecticide that is used to kill red ants, and the insecticide is banned in the United States but still widely used in Mexico. If I were to use medical marijuana, I would try to stick to the organically grown US product.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Firefighters have a significantly higher rate of multiple myeloma. In some states it's a presumptive illness whereby it's assumed to be occupationally related and covered by labor and industry the same as if a firefighter injured his back in a burning house; if a firefighter passes from multiple myeloma, it's the same as if he/she passed from going into a burning house and didn't survive.
Obviously they believe it's from the chemicals firefighters are exposed to. Whether the chemicals are from those that fight the fires or those chemical vapors that emit from homes that are burning (think asbestos etc). Don't encourage your sons or daughters to be firefighters.
Obviously they believe it's from the chemicals firefighters are exposed to. Whether the chemicals are from those that fight the fires or those chemical vapors that emit from homes that are burning (think asbestos etc). Don't encourage your sons or daughters to be firefighters.
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Caregiver
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Thanks for that info Caregiver. I wonder if the firefighters with multiple myeloma have similar cytogenetics or whether the exposure is indiscriminate in what it scrambles.
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LibbyC - Name: LibbyC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
LibbyC,
Just wanted to add some more info for you. I can add that I have been in the farming and in the agricultural machinery repair business for around 45 years. My first job was at a general repair shop that mostly repaired farm equipment for about 6 years. Second job that I had was for a produce company being the shop manager for 17 years. My current job is at a John Deere dealership for the last 22 years. As you can see, I don't job hop. The first two companyies closed their doors due to the economy at those times.
The first two jobs involved a lot of stick welding. The stick welding produces a lot of gases when used. I can remember feeling kind of sick to my stomach when I first started welding. My boss just said don't worry about it. That was back in the old days where you do what your told or lose your job. i don't know if that contributed to multiple myeloma.
The one thing that I do remember is using a very large amount of solvent for cleaning. Usually without any gloves. I can remember my hands having a tingle after using it for extended amounts of time. And my hands would be very dry afterwards. Here in California and in the county that I work in, they banned the old type solvent a few years back. They said it could cause cancer. Really? What type of cancer? They just put a label on it that says it could cause certain types of cancer. That's some real good information. Or the lack of.
The last thing is the equipment that sprays the crops that some of us eat (I choose to grow my own veggies as much as possible). At my current job, we work on different types of equipment including herbicide, fertilizer, and pesticide machines. These machines smell of chemical so bad that we have to open all our shop doors and have fans running so we don't feel sick. Then add some welding or torch cutting on these machines and the fumes are terrible.
The chemical tanks are normally cleaned out inside, but the outside of the machines are coated with years of dried-on chemical of all types. The drivers of these machines have to have monthly blood tests. That should tell you something.
So could some of these things have caused my multiple myeloma? Or maybe the combination of all the above. Wish i knew so others younger than me would not be subject to these chemicals in the future.
Sorry to go on so long with my story.
Castaway
Just wanted to add some more info for you. I can add that I have been in the farming and in the agricultural machinery repair business for around 45 years. My first job was at a general repair shop that mostly repaired farm equipment for about 6 years. Second job that I had was for a produce company being the shop manager for 17 years. My current job is at a John Deere dealership for the last 22 years. As you can see, I don't job hop. The first two companyies closed their doors due to the economy at those times.
The first two jobs involved a lot of stick welding. The stick welding produces a lot of gases when used. I can remember feeling kind of sick to my stomach when I first started welding. My boss just said don't worry about it. That was back in the old days where you do what your told or lose your job. i don't know if that contributed to multiple myeloma.
The one thing that I do remember is using a very large amount of solvent for cleaning. Usually without any gloves. I can remember my hands having a tingle after using it for extended amounts of time. And my hands would be very dry afterwards. Here in California and in the county that I work in, they banned the old type solvent a few years back. They said it could cause cancer. Really? What type of cancer? They just put a label on it that says it could cause certain types of cancer. That's some real good information. Or the lack of.
The last thing is the equipment that sprays the crops that some of us eat (I choose to grow my own veggies as much as possible). At my current job, we work on different types of equipment including herbicide, fertilizer, and pesticide machines. These machines smell of chemical so bad that we have to open all our shop doors and have fans running so we don't feel sick. Then add some welding or torch cutting on these machines and the fumes are terrible.
The chemical tanks are normally cleaned out inside, but the outside of the machines are coated with years of dried-on chemical of all types. The drivers of these machines have to have monthly blood tests. That should tell you something.
So could some of these things have caused my multiple myeloma? Or maybe the combination of all the above. Wish i knew so others younger than me would not be subject to these chemicals in the future.
Sorry to go on so long with my story.
Castaway
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Our nurses told us that they have several firefighter and hairdresser patients - both professions where one gets exposed to chemicals. Our son was thinking of firefighting as a career but I've steered him away from it. There is also a woman in our multiple myeloma community who was an x-ray tech for many years and her theory about her diagnosis is too much radiation exposure. And there is an older gentleman patient who was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. 
After my husband's diagnosis, we moved to a cleaner environment (difficult to do in Los Angeles County where we are based and our son attends school). The move wasn't easy but we are so happy that we were able to do it.
I hope there is more research in this area so that the links are made clearer. In the meantime, I buy organic and non-genetically modified foods- for our own health, but also for the health of the farmers growing them as well as our environment at large. It makes me angry that the more GMO foods that are created, the more pesticides are used. Ugh! It's time to stop the overdosing of chemicals on our planet!
After my husband's diagnosis, we moved to a cleaner environment (difficult to do in Los Angeles County where we are based and our son attends school). The move wasn't easy but we are so happy that we were able to do it.
I hope there is more research in this area so that the links are made clearer. In the meantime, I buy organic and non-genetically modified foods- for our own health, but also for the health of the farmers growing them as well as our environment at large. It makes me angry that the more GMO foods that are created, the more pesticides are used. Ugh! It's time to stop the overdosing of chemicals on our planet!
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Jean Ruth Howard - Name: Jeannie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
I have MGUS and I am convinced my MGUS was most likely caused by exposure to Roundup and other herbicides / pesticides.
I worked on western ranches from 1977 thru 2007 and, unfortunately, I applied a lot of Roundup. Especially at the last ranch we worked on, in Central Coast of CA. I was expected to keep a manmade pond free of any weeds; I cared for a 150 tree olive orchard and a 60 tree fruit orchard, as well as doing weed abatement around the ranch (all of which I wedged into my days doing my main job, horse training). Each time I applied weedkiller or pesticides, I would have flu-like symptoms that were quite strong and this was noticed by my boss' secretary, she pointed it out to me.
I'm thankful a reader here posted that link to that agricultural / myeloma study. I'd read that years ago and lost the link and couldn't find it. Thanks!
Thought I'd just throw this in to the mix. Nothing scientific, tho.
I worked on western ranches from 1977 thru 2007 and, unfortunately, I applied a lot of Roundup. Especially at the last ranch we worked on, in Central Coast of CA. I was expected to keep a manmade pond free of any weeds; I cared for a 150 tree olive orchard and a 60 tree fruit orchard, as well as doing weed abatement around the ranch (all of which I wedged into my days doing my main job, horse training). Each time I applied weedkiller or pesticides, I would have flu-like symptoms that were quite strong and this was noticed by my boss' secretary, she pointed it out to me.
I'm thankful a reader here posted that link to that agricultural / myeloma study. I'd read that years ago and lost the link and couldn't find it. Thanks!
Thought I'd just throw this in to the mix. Nothing scientific, tho.
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Gina B
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Here is a link to an article that talks about how cancer -- including myeloma - is on the rise among 9/11 first responders.
http://q13fox.com/2014/07/30/thousands-of-911-first-responders-confirmed-to-have-cancer/
Lyn
http://q13fox.com/2014/07/30/thousands-of-911-first-responders-confirmed-to-have-cancer/
Lyn
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Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Here's a few articles specific to firefighters and multiple myeloma. I haven't seen any specific studies but it seems that firefighters generally have high risk multiple myeloma as would be defined by their chromosomal damage. While the articles of their passing don't identify a risk, many of them pass within a handful of years following their diagnosis which would leave one to believe they are high risk since so many others survive for much longer periods of time. Many local firefighter blogs/web sites honor those that have fallen in the line of duty, so it's easy to find such instances.
http://firefighterfactsnj.org/cancer-risks
http://myeloma.org/pdfs/firefighter_guidelines.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17099456
http://www.firefightercancersupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Taking-Action-against-Cancer-in-the-Fire-Service.pdf
http://www.code3foracure.org/stats.html
http://firefighterfactsnj.org/cancer-risks
http://myeloma.org/pdfs/firefighter_guidelines.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17099456
http://www.firefightercancersupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Taking-Action-against-Cancer-in-the-Fire-Service.pdf
http://www.code3foracure.org/stats.html
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Caregiver
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