Is my family at risk of developing myelofibrosis?

Is my family at risk of developing myelofibrosis?

There is a slight hereditary component to myelofibrosis, so about 8% of patients actually have a family history of myelofibrosis. And it's sort of similar to breast cancer or colon cancer. But you're not born with the cancer, but you have an increased risk of developing it over time.

And the risk is about a 5 to 7 fold increase in first-degree relatives who have myelofibrosis. So that would include parents, siblings, and children. And even though the risk is increased, we don't recommend testing for the myelofibrosis mutations. We just recommend that patients or their family members have an annual screening.

So see their doctor once a year, look at their blood counts. Make sure their blood cancer is normal. If their blood counts are abnormal, they should see a hematologist for consideration of additional workup.