Hi all,
Does anyone know if there is a correlation between the different myeloma mutations & exposure to different chemicals (workplace or environment)?
I know that is a big ask, but the data generated may be extremely useful.
Forums
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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?
Hi Libby,
My mom does not have any apparent chromosomes that we are aware of. However, she worked in a dry cleaners for many years and was around a chemical called PERC. She also spent her summers at a cottage on a lake swimming in the water every day. Three of her next door neighbors at the lake all came down with leukemia. We think she got myeloma from a chemical ... just we will never know.
Good luck!
My mom does not have any apparent chromosomes that we are aware of. However, she worked in a dry cleaners for many years and was around a chemical called PERC. She also spent her summers at a cottage on a lake swimming in the water every day. Three of her next door neighbors at the lake all came down with leukemia. We think she got myeloma from a chemical ... just we will never know.
Good luck!
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
I have read there is a correlation between myeloma and those who work in occupations that have chemical exposure, but nothing that identifies any specific type of chemical exposure to myeloma, much less to a subtype. If a specific connection to a chemical is ever made, that would be big news in the myeloma world.
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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?
What about exposure via recreational drugs? I noticed that a lot of us here grew up in the 70's and 80's when synthetic methampetamine drugs were widely available and contained chemicals such as hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide (Drano), ether, formaldyhide ... Oh my!
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jhorner - Name: Magpie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Perhaps Beacon Staff could do a weekly poll question on use of recreational drug use so folks don't have to post in regards to this?
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jhorner - Name: Magpie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Hi,
My husband has been in the agriculture industry for his entire career (40+ years) and I suspect the chemicals he's been around and working with during this time probably contributed to his multiple myeloma. A link to a Reuter's article on the weed killer Roundup, originally from 2011, "Cancer cause or crop aid? Herbicide faces big test" is below:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/08/us-glyphosate-epa-idUSTRE7374WX20110408
Toward the bottom of the 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".
I don't see how a "two-fold increased risk" can be considered "non-significant"...
The EPA has been gathering data (most of it from chemical companies) and is supposed to issue a report in 2015 with potential restrictions for Roundup's use in the future. The report said Canada is also reviewing Roundup. I'm looking forward to seeing these 2015 reports.
Chris M.
My husband has been in the agriculture industry for his entire career (40+ years) and I suspect the chemicals he's been around and working with during this time probably contributed to his multiple myeloma. A link to a Reuter's article on the weed killer Roundup, originally from 2011, "Cancer cause or crop aid? Herbicide faces big test" is below:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/08/us-glyphosate-epa-idUSTRE7374WX20110408
Toward the bottom of the 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".
I don't see how a "two-fold increased risk" can be considered "non-significant"...
The EPA has been gathering data (most of it from chemical companies) and is supposed to issue a report in 2015 with potential restrictions for Roundup's use in the future. The report said Canada is also reviewing Roundup. I'm looking forward to seeing these 2015 reports.
Chris M.
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Chris M.
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Well, I grew up in the fifties and sixties. I was a young mother in the seventies, and believe it or not, I have never used any illicit drugs. Not so much as a whiff of marijuana or anything else. I know, I know ... sad for a hippie generation gal to admit that, but ... there it is.
I don't drink alcohol or smoke, either. Shoot, I don't even drink coffee or tea!
On the other hand, my husband worked for Lockheed Martin; the 'Skunk Works.' He was constantly working with some very toxic stuff, and he would bring it home on his clothes. I would, of course, handle and wash them.
I also defused defective landmines, working with explosives that turned my hands yellow – but that was only for two summers.
I don't suppose that would have been sufficient exposure?
(shrug) Who knows?
I don't drink alcohol or smoke, either. Shoot, I don't even drink coffee or tea!
On the other hand, my husband worked for Lockheed Martin; the 'Skunk Works.' He was constantly working with some very toxic stuff, and he would bring it home on his clothes. I would, of course, handle and wash them.
I also defused defective landmines, working with explosives that turned my hands yellow – but that was only for two summers.
I don't suppose that would have been sufficient exposure?
(shrug) Who knows?
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dianaiad - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Officially...March 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
I have never been exposed to any significant chemicals. I smoked a little bit of marijuana as a teenager. I am IgA and IgG with t4:14 and d17. I have consumed many diet sodas in my lifetime.
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
There is a prominent "belt" across the upper Midwest/Great Plains that has had an excess representation of multiple myeloma cases for years. Many of these areas are predominately agricultural.
I've lived here most of my adult life.
Herbicides--Dacthal, Roundup, 2-4-D, fertilizer w/ additives (Nitrogen based), etc, etc have been around, in the water, airborn, etc....since the 40's. ( in one formulation or another)
Paraquat, 2-4-D, etc for the dope smokers and Alar for Johnny Appleseed (Apples).
??? for the oranges--to make them Shine at the store ! Who knows what were sprayed on Tobacco products--yeeech!
Pesticides--too damn many to list were applied ....and ended up in the water supply.
Nitrates are every where.
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.
Paints had funky " ant-fungals" and "anti-mold formularies" added to them. Formaldehydes and Esther compounds were everywhere. Benzene, "White-Gas", Turpentines, Stains, etc were everywhere .
Paints used in municipal Pools had later banned ingredients--which oxidized in sunlight and chlorine. ( Gee, and where would THAT happen ?)
Asbestos was in most items of flooring, siding, roofing materials, brakes, insulations, cars, railroads, etc---and enriched by layers of formaldehyde, etc. It was a hazy brown dust that was everywhere.
A real soup of chemicals to choose from....and I lived in the good side of town, from age 4 to now.
The chemical potpourri is not as extensive these days, but these chemicals are still thru out the environment.
Query--Did the mustard gas ( derivative--Alkeran, etc) inhaled in WWI "Protect" these dough boys when they came back to the US ?? ( Or was Kahler's Disease just underdiagnosed ?)
I think I got enough "stuff" from my youth for several cases of multiple myeloma.
My multiple myeloma manifested itself thru an Aero-digestive variety in my Sinus (Large Plasmacytoma )...after many sinus infections / Bronchial illnesses, growing up.
---(IgG Myeloma -- t (11,14) (q13, q 32 ) (w/ trans--Low Secretory multiple myeloma )
I'm pretty satisfied where I got my multiple myeloma. ( the neighborhood of the 50's-80's, etc) The studies bear me out.
All the flying I did from ages 28- 52 and the indiscriminate exposure to radar emitting devices ( Nose nacelle's of most airplanes) didn't help much, either. Pretty common for Radar to stay switched "on" at airports/ planes--despite all the FAA directories....A ton of Radiation in a short burst.
My fillings used to briefly tingle...on the Tarmac !
Fortunately, Radon ( Naturally occurring) is not present in large quantities, around here. The Rockies ?? Yes, very much so. I went to the mountains, often.
Good luck.
I've lived here most of my adult life.
Herbicides--Dacthal, Roundup, 2-4-D, fertilizer w/ additives (Nitrogen based), etc, etc have been around, in the water, airborn, etc....since the 40's. ( in one formulation or another)
Paraquat, 2-4-D, etc for the dope smokers and Alar for Johnny Appleseed (Apples).
??? for the oranges--to make them Shine at the store ! Who knows what were sprayed on Tobacco products--yeeech!
Pesticides--too damn many to list were applied ....and ended up in the water supply.
Nitrates are every where.
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.
Paints had funky " ant-fungals" and "anti-mold formularies" added to them. Formaldehydes and Esther compounds were everywhere. Benzene, "White-Gas", Turpentines, Stains, etc were everywhere .
Paints used in municipal Pools had later banned ingredients--which oxidized in sunlight and chlorine. ( Gee, and where would THAT happen ?)
Asbestos was in most items of flooring, siding, roofing materials, brakes, insulations, cars, railroads, etc---and enriched by layers of formaldehyde, etc. It was a hazy brown dust that was everywhere.
A real soup of chemicals to choose from....and I lived in the good side of town, from age 4 to now.
The chemical potpourri is not as extensive these days, but these chemicals are still thru out the environment.
Query--Did the mustard gas ( derivative--Alkeran, etc) inhaled in WWI "Protect" these dough boys when they came back to the US ?? ( Or was Kahler's Disease just underdiagnosed ?)
I think I got enough "stuff" from my youth for several cases of multiple myeloma.
My multiple myeloma manifested itself thru an Aero-digestive variety in my Sinus (Large Plasmacytoma )...after many sinus infections / Bronchial illnesses, growing up.
---(IgG Myeloma -- t (11,14) (q13, q 32 ) (w/ trans--Low Secretory multiple myeloma )
I'm pretty satisfied where I got my multiple myeloma. ( the neighborhood of the 50's-80's, etc) The studies bear me out.
All the flying I did from ages 28- 52 and the indiscriminate exposure to radar emitting devices ( Nose nacelle's of most airplanes) didn't help much, either. Pretty common for Radar to stay switched "on" at airports/ planes--despite all the FAA directories....A ton of Radiation in a short burst.
My fillings used to briefly tingle...on the Tarmac !
Fortunately, Radon ( Naturally occurring) is not present in large quantities, around here. The Rockies ?? Yes, very much so. I went to the mountains, often.
Good luck.
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Rneb
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Thanks for your replies. Rneb, like you, I think I got enough environmental stuff while growing up to give me a couple of different types of myeloma. I don't know the cytogenetics of my myeloma but would have loved to have known.
No doubt it will be years before we find out (if we ever do) but I would like to know if the age of exposure has an effect on the type of myeloma (young children with their actively dividing cells). Or is it just exposure?
No doubt it will be years before we find out (if we ever do) but I would like to know if the age of exposure has an effect on the type of myeloma (young children with their actively dividing cells). Or is it just exposure?
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LibbyC - Name: LibbyC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 43
37 posts
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