Recently I heard from a doctor that multiple myeloma is caused by environmental factors. Does anyone have any information on this? Should a patient consider changing their job if they are involved in construction work type of field?
Thanks.
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Re: What causes multiple myeloma?
1) We do not know what causes multiple myeloma.
2) There is no conclusive evidence that any occupational exposure/job increases the risk of developing multiple myeloma.
2) There is no conclusive evidence that any occupational exposure/job increases the risk of developing multiple myeloma.
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: What causes multiple myeloma?
Hi Nadia-
In my husband's case, exposure to Agent Orange while he served in Vietnam was the culprit. The Federal government has accepted total responsibility for this. The VA has been absolutely marvelous to us.
In my husband's case, exposure to Agent Orange while he served in Vietnam was the culprit. The Federal government has accepted total responsibility for this. The VA has been absolutely marvelous to us.
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Nanette - Name: Nanette "Deaux"
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My dear husband, Dominic
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Spring of 2008
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: What causes multiple myeloma?
I was told that my exposure to petroleum products probably caused mine I was an auto mechanic for 35 years exposed every day to grease and oil. They told me it was the benzene in them.
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genk - Name: Ed
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: What causes multiple myeloma?
Hi Nanette,
The Agent Orange sounds like association not conclusive evidence.
Unproven, but associated.
You are blessed that our government has chosen to take care of those who serve our country honorably and courageously, without conclusive evidence.
I would hope that they would do nothing less.
Wishing you and your spouse all the best.
The Agent Orange sounds like association not conclusive evidence.
Unproven, but associated.
You are blessed that our government has chosen to take care of those who serve our country honorably and courageously, without conclusive evidence.
I would hope that they would do nothing less.
Wishing you and your spouse all the best.
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suzierose - Name: suzierose
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2 sept 2011
Re: What causes multiple myeloma?
Hi Suzie,
Thanks for the kind words.
However, I contend that if the Federal government is assuming responsibility, as well as financial support, Agent Orange has, in fact, been proven to cause multiple myeloma (as well as other diseases).
The VA doesn't throw money around.
Thanks for the kind words.
However, I contend that if the Federal government is assuming responsibility, as well as financial support, Agent Orange has, in fact, been proven to cause multiple myeloma (as well as other diseases).
The VA doesn't throw money around.
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Nanette - Name: Nanette "Deaux"
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My dear husband, Dominic
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Spring of 2008
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: What causes multiple myeloma?
It is very nice that the VA includes multiple myeloma as a diagnosis covered in patients exposed to agent orange. And increased risk of multiple myeloma and a list of cancers have been linked to agent orange exposure.
But to echo Dr. Libby's comments from earlier in this posting chain, we really don't know what environmental exposures cause myeloma or if they did in any given individual. Everyone, including physicians, want to know what causes it as then we may be able to address it in terms of preventative measures. However, today we do not know. There are certain environmental exposures that have been linked to increased incidence, including Agent Orange, solvents, significant radiation exposure, benzene, petroleum products, and others. More recently an increased incidence of myeloma was noted in younger first responders at Ground Zero (Moline et al, Journal of Environmental Medicine, I believe this was discussed in another posting in more detail). But these are associations without direct evidence of causality.
Regardless, we are all glad that for your case the VA has taken that responsibility and best of luck.
But to echo Dr. Libby's comments from earlier in this posting chain, we really don't know what environmental exposures cause myeloma or if they did in any given individual. Everyone, including physicians, want to know what causes it as then we may be able to address it in terms of preventative measures. However, today we do not know. There are certain environmental exposures that have been linked to increased incidence, including Agent Orange, solvents, significant radiation exposure, benzene, petroleum products, and others. More recently an increased incidence of myeloma was noted in younger first responders at Ground Zero (Moline et al, Journal of Environmental Medicine, I believe this was discussed in another posting in more detail). But these are associations without direct evidence of causality.
Regardless, we are all glad that for your case the VA has taken that responsibility and best of luck.
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Dr. Ken Shain - Name: Ken Shain, M.D., Ph.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: What causes multiple myeloma?
My husband has never been exposed to Agent Orange, but he does have multiple myeloma. So, in some cases, Agent Orange may have caused myeloma, but it's obviously not the only thing that causes it.
Re: What causes multiple myeloma?
The problem is when people use the term "proven to cause".
I'm a farmer and the casual observer would say "It's proven that exposure to pesticides etc has caused my multiple myeloma."
I know approximately 200 other farmers. No other farmer I know has multiple myeloma, or any type of blood cancer for that matter. And of those 200 or so farmers, I would put my exposure to farm chemicals in the bottom 10%. So if farm chemicals are proven to cause multiple myeloma, why didn't any other farmer I know come down with multiple myeloma?
My trigger for getting it must be a hair trigger. Maybe pumping gas once a week caused it? Maybe idling in traffic for more than 3 minutes a day? Maybe sitting by campfires caused it? Barbecues? Or my incessant use of cosmetics? (ha!)
Just because the government decides to cover people for multiple myeloma, it doesn't mean much scientifically. I'll bet 99% of our soldiers who were exposed to Agent Orange didn't get multiple myeloma. The lobbying was intense, as it will be from WTC responders. I'm assuming there might be an increased risk from these two events, but if so it is small.
I've read that some multiple myeloma patients are being covered for multiple myeloma treatment who did serve in Vietnam, but were miles away from where Agent Orange was used (stationed in Saigon or even offshore in a destroyer). I'm not sure if that's true, and I don't remember where I read it, but when the government is involved anything is possible.
Just my two cents on a topic that might make me unpopular with others in this forum!
(And yes, I like seeing our veterans given the benefit of the doubt.)
I'm a farmer and the casual observer would say "It's proven that exposure to pesticides etc has caused my multiple myeloma."
I know approximately 200 other farmers. No other farmer I know has multiple myeloma, or any type of blood cancer for that matter. And of those 200 or so farmers, I would put my exposure to farm chemicals in the bottom 10%. So if farm chemicals are proven to cause multiple myeloma, why didn't any other farmer I know come down with multiple myeloma?
My trigger for getting it must be a hair trigger. Maybe pumping gas once a week caused it? Maybe idling in traffic for more than 3 minutes a day? Maybe sitting by campfires caused it? Barbecues? Or my incessant use of cosmetics? (ha!)
Just because the government decides to cover people for multiple myeloma, it doesn't mean much scientifically. I'll bet 99% of our soldiers who were exposed to Agent Orange didn't get multiple myeloma. The lobbying was intense, as it will be from WTC responders. I'm assuming there might be an increased risk from these two events, but if so it is small.
I've read that some multiple myeloma patients are being covered for multiple myeloma treatment who did serve in Vietnam, but were miles away from where Agent Orange was used (stationed in Saigon or even offshore in a destroyer). I'm not sure if that's true, and I don't remember where I read it, but when the government is involved anything is possible.
Just my two cents on a topic that might make me unpopular with others in this forum!
(And yes, I like seeing our veterans given the benefit of the doubt.)
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Stann - Name: Stann
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 9/11/09
- Age at diagnosis: 46
Re: What causes multiple myeloma?
My husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in October, 2010. I've seen the following listed as "possible" causes: Pesticides, herbicides, petroleum-based products, or wood dust.
He grew up in the Mississippi Delta, where cotton was king. In the growing season, the planes flew low over the cotton fields, spraying pesticides over the cotton. And, during the harvest season, the planes flew low over the fields, spraying defoliate to kill the leaves. Obviously, these chemicals were also picked up by the breeze and inhaled by many.
We have been told that the largest population of multiple myeloma in Mississippi comes from the Delta. However, we don't know anyone else with multiple myeloma.
After we were married, we moved to Iowa, where he farmed,and once again, he inhaled herbicides and pesticides.
Again, we know lots of farmers, but we don't know any with multiple myeloma.
He also had a cabinet shop, where he was covered with wood dust from sanding and the fumes of pain and paint thinner (petroleum based products).
And, we don't know any other cabinet makers or woodworkers with multiple myeloma.
There are many others with multiple myeloma, who have probably had no association with any of the "possible" causes, listed above. Just as my husband was never exposed to Agent Orange.
I've often thought, if the cause could be found, then possibly, so could a cure!
He grew up in the Mississippi Delta, where cotton was king. In the growing season, the planes flew low over the cotton fields, spraying pesticides over the cotton. And, during the harvest season, the planes flew low over the fields, spraying defoliate to kill the leaves. Obviously, these chemicals were also picked up by the breeze and inhaled by many.
We have been told that the largest population of multiple myeloma in Mississippi comes from the Delta. However, we don't know anyone else with multiple myeloma.
After we were married, we moved to Iowa, where he farmed,and once again, he inhaled herbicides and pesticides.
Again, we know lots of farmers, but we don't know any with multiple myeloma.
He also had a cabinet shop, where he was covered with wood dust from sanding and the fumes of pain and paint thinner (petroleum based products).
And, we don't know any other cabinet makers or woodworkers with multiple myeloma.
There are many others with multiple myeloma, who have probably had no association with any of the "possible" causes, listed above. Just as my husband was never exposed to Agent Orange.
I've often thought, if the cause could be found, then possibly, so could a cure!
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Sarah - Name: Sarah
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 7, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 72
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