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Risk Factors for Multiple Myeloma
Anything that increases your chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Sometimes, risk factors directly cause a disease. For example, smoking causes damage to lung cells that lead to lung cancer. Most often, though, risk factors do not directly cause a disease. Instead, many small changes over time lead to the genetic changes that cause cancer.
It is important to remember that having one or more risk factors for a disease does not guarantee you will develop that disease. It is also possible to develop a disease even if you do not have any known risk factors.
Researchers are still learning how multiple myeloma develops.
What raises your risk for developing multiple myeloma?
MULTIPLE MYELOMA RISK FACTORS BASICS: Researchers are still learning how multiple myeloma develops, but there are some things that can raise your risk. Your age, race, family history, personal health history, and radiation exposure could affect your chance of developing multiple myeloma.
Age. Multiple myeloma is most often diagnosed in people who are age 50 and older. The average age of diagnosis for people with multiple myeloma is 69 years old. Rarely, it is diagnosed in younger adults.
Race. Black people are two to three times more likely to develop multiple myeloma than white people.
CONNECT WITH OTHER PATIENTS: HealthTree’s Black Myeloma Health community was created to help provide Black patients and caregivers with resources and connection after a multiple myeloma diagnosis. Join now to find a support group, watch live and recorded webinars, and learn about in-person events.
Sex. Multiple myeloma is slightly more common in men compared to women.
Body weight. Higher body weights are associated with an increased risk of multiple myeloma.
Family history. Your risk of developing multiple myeloma increases if you have a first degree family member with the disease, such as a parent or sibling. However, most people diagnosed with multiple myeloma do not have any family history of the illness.
Radiation or exposure to some chemicals. Exposure to radiation or chemicals such as an herbicide called Agent Orange can increase your risk of developing multiple myeloma. Learn more about Agent Orange and myeloma for U.S. Veterans.
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Other plasma cell diseases like MGUS increase your risk of developing multiple myeloma. Learn more about MGUS.
What’s Next: The next page in this guide describes Multiple Myeloma Survival Rates. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Understanding Multiple Myeloma page or choose another page from the menu.