There could be several myeloma triggers. In my casem I am pretty sure it had something to do with ionic radiation. Seven years ago I had an infection that turned out to be a parasite, but doctors could not find it ; they did many c-scans. Four years ago, I had a heart nuclear test and months later I started with nose bleeds. I already had lots of x-rays as a routine for dental work, lung infections, etc, since I was a child. I never did drugs, never drank alcohol, stopped smoking 25 years ago and always eat organic food, lots of fruits and veggies, drank green tea until I had to take Velcade, never used hard cleaners in my home. No weed killers in my yard. I love dandelions.
When first diagnosed with myeloma the first oncologist I saw sent me for full body x-ray survey, cat scan and PET scan. I asked him if radiation could further corrupt my DNA. He said no, but avoided looking me on the eye. I refused all of the above and went to find a specialist who did a full body MRI and we found a small lesion in the marrow. Nothing more.
I had no symptoms so I could have been classified as smoldering when I was not. MRIs are not considered standard of care - my insurance considers them experimental for multiple myeloma - and I think it should be standard. I wonder if further chromosomal changes that we see sometimes as we have therahy and the multiple myeloma relapses, could have anything to do with the amount of radiation we are exposed to by radiological studies, which of course are pretty wonderful at finding things, and quite necessary at times.
MRI and scans are very good at catching different things in our cancer. But I do think that, in my experience, doctors in general are too quick to go with studies that are not that harmless. I read skeletal surveys only can catch bone destruction at 30% and not before. Why keep doing them? Because they are cheaper? They should be obsolete.
I asked many doctors and they always say no, that radiation is not the cause. I remain respectfully doubtful. I think it could be one trigger or something that aggravates it.
Forums
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Cassy66 - Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
My husband is a Vietnam Vet. The Veterans Administration recognizes his multiple myeloma as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange.
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BarbaraL
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
I grew up eating seafood caught in New Bedford Harbor, a major Superfund toxic chemical site filled with PCBs. As children we also swam in that water. In addition, my mother worked in one of the factories that produced and then dumped the PCBs into the outer harbor and would come home reeking of the strong odors (and dust) of the factory.
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1977 and with multiple myeloma in 2008. No history of any cancer on either side if my family. I can't be certain, but I have a strong suspicion that my long term exposure to PCBs as a developing child played a role in my getting both of these diseases.
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1977 and with multiple myeloma in 2008. No history of any cancer on either side if my family. I can't be certain, but I have a strong suspicion that my long term exposure to PCBs as a developing child played a role in my getting both of these diseases.
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Bev Baccelli
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
I am 55, and was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma in 2010. I have done as much research as I can into the cause of multiple myeloma, as yet no cause has been pinpointed. But there are certain predisposing factors.
Those employed in the petro-chemical industry, the agricultural industry, firefighters and responders to 9/11 have a significantly increased risk.
The word significant when used in medical and science terms has a specific statistical meaning, where a formula is used (called a p value) and that determines if an increase or decrease in something is statistically significant.
I asked my vet if animals get multiple myeloma. He said yes - dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, marine mammals all get it.
Those employed in the petro-chemical industry, the agricultural industry, firefighters and responders to 9/11 have a significantly increased risk.
The word significant when used in medical and science terms has a specific statistical meaning, where a formula is used (called a p value) and that determines if an increase or decrease in something is statistically significant.
I asked my vet if animals get multiple myeloma. He said yes - dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, marine mammals all get it.
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Salzmav
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Chris M. wrote:
"Toward the bottom of the [Reuters] article it discusses a possible link from the chemical, Roundup, to multiple myeloma. The manufacturer, Monsanto, insists there is no link between the two.
However, this 2011 Reuter's article reported: "The two-fold increased risk was considered "non-significant" and EPA said the findings were preliminary and based on a small number of cases but it is still part of the review".
Right, and there's no connection between coal dust & black lung either!!
"Toward the bottom of the [Reuters] article it discusses a possible link from the chemical, Roundup, to multiple myeloma. The manufacturer, Monsanto, insists there is no link between the two.
However, this 2011 Reuter's article reported: "The two-fold increased risk was considered "non-significant" and EPA said the findings were preliminary and based on a small number of cases but it is still part of the review".
Right, and there's no connection between coal dust & black lung either!!
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Nipon Ginko - Name: Nipon Ginko
- Who do you know with myeloma?: ME
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2004
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
I worked as a chemist in the late 60's and early 70's. In those days, we used benzene and acetone as solvents. We had no information regarding toxicity or carcinogenicity of these solvents and other chemicals I was working with. Often we used these solvents to clean reaction vessels so my hands routinely came in contact with the solvents. It is possible that exposure to these solvents over a period of four years is the cause of my multiple myeloma.
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LarryG
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
I was in the US Navy in 1965 and spent 10 months in the Tonkin Gulf on board the USS Midway. During that time we ate, drank and bathed in water that was procured from the Tonkin Gulf by means of evaporation.
The millions of gallons of Agent Orange that our friendly government sprayed on the crops and jungles did what all fluids do -- run into the streams and rivers and then to the ocean or, in this case, the Tonkin Gulf where the US ships scooped it up for use by the naval personnel on board.
I know of at least 4 people (who are dead now), not including myself, who were with me on board the Midway that have came down with diseases that are recognized as presumptive for Agent Orange if you were Army, Air Force, or Marines - but NOT the "Blue Water Navy" (google)
I myself have two of the diseases - multiple myeloma & prostate cancer. Both are active but not progressing at this time. That's unless my next PSA test in 3 months, or blood test for multiple myeloma, shows a continued climb?
On a secondary note, my original oncologist had multiple myeloma and he passed away a little over a year into my treatment. He was from the country of Belarus (formerly in the USSR) and was downwind from Chernobyl when it melted down - the likely cause of his multiple myeloma. Note, none of the conventional novel treatments worked for his multiple myeloma. They did a bone marrow transplant and it failed as well.
The millions of gallons of Agent Orange that our friendly government sprayed on the crops and jungles did what all fluids do -- run into the streams and rivers and then to the ocean or, in this case, the Tonkin Gulf where the US ships scooped it up for use by the naval personnel on board.
I know of at least 4 people (who are dead now), not including myself, who were with me on board the Midway that have came down with diseases that are recognized as presumptive for Agent Orange if you were Army, Air Force, or Marines - but NOT the "Blue Water Navy" (google)
I myself have two of the diseases - multiple myeloma & prostate cancer. Both are active but not progressing at this time. That's unless my next PSA test in 3 months, or blood test for multiple myeloma, shows a continued climb?
On a secondary note, my original oncologist had multiple myeloma and he passed away a little over a year into my treatment. He was from the country of Belarus (formerly in the USSR) and was downwind from Chernobyl when it melted down - the likely cause of his multiple myeloma. Note, none of the conventional novel treatments worked for his multiple myeloma. They did a bone marrow transplant and it failed as well.
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Nipon Ginko - Name: Nipon Ginko
- Who do you know with myeloma?: ME
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2004
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
I too have t(4:14). And I grew up 1/2 mile from a plant that processed uranium in the early sixties. It also received Superfund monies to clean up the tailings in the 1980s. Years of this stuff. Probably a factor.
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Joni B
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Rneb wrote: "Many communities sprayed widely in the Summer to control mosquitoes. Children ran behind these "Foggers' and rode their bikes thru it. Inhaling deeply, the toxic fumes. Moi Aussi."
I was one of those children in the early 60's.
Tomorrow, I fly from Florida to Minnesota and will spend the next four to seven days (they tell me) having tests at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Am wondering if and hoping there might be a Holy Grail.
I'm coming up on 15 months since my diagnosis and have been on maintenance, mostly on Revlimid 15mg and 10mg of dex.
I was one of those children in the early 60's.
Tomorrow, I fly from Florida to Minnesota and will spend the next four to seven days (they tell me) having tests at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Am wondering if and hoping there might be a Holy Grail.
I'm coming up on 15 months since my diagnosis and have been on maintenance, mostly on Revlimid 15mg and 10mg of dex.
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tropicdiver - Name: Bob Phillips
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
I also grew up in the 60s and 70s and was exposed to mosquito sprays, paints, etc, but so were my 3 siblings, none of which have any cancer. I am the youngest of 4.
I previously used RoundUp around the yard occasionally, but nothing like people in the agricultural profession. I worked in offices for all of my career. I have no idea what my connection is that caused multiple myeloma, although I often wonder.
I was originally diagnosed with high risk multiple myeloma. I currently have a complete response and am on Revlimid maintenance.
I previously used RoundUp around the yard occasionally, but nothing like people in the agricultural profession. I worked in offices for all of my career. I have no idea what my connection is that caused multiple myeloma, although I often wonder.
I was originally diagnosed with high risk multiple myeloma. I currently have a complete response and am on Revlimid maintenance.
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Mona - Name: Mona
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/12/12
- Age at diagnosis: 56
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