Guide To Multiple Myeloma Risk Factors

Plasma cells are white blood cells mostly found in bone marrow. They help the body fight against infections by producing antibodies. Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that affects the plasma cells. This happens when the cells stop behaving normally. These cells will instead divide at uncontrolled rates. This is what results in cancer. The affected cells take over bone marrow and prevent healthy blood cells from working properly. Symptoms of multiple myeloma include frequent infections, appetite loss, pain in the bones, extreme tiredness, and nausea.

There are several multiple myeloma treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants. New medicines and therapies for this type of cancer are being studied constantly. Treatment also involves multiple myeloma maintenance therapy drugs.

Older Age

Multiple myeloma gets more common as people age, especially in those over 60 years old. The average age of patients at diagnosis is 70 years old. Only 2 percent of cases are in those under 40 years old. So, it is clear age is a serious contributor to the development of this cancer. Unfortunately, this risk factor is unavoidable. This makes the need for treatments and a cure even more important.

Senior patients are also harder to treat. This is because they have other illnesses that must be managed at the same time. What’s even scarier is multiple myeloma results in death far more often in elderly patients.

Get the details on the connection between race and multiple myeloma next.

Race

Multiple myeloma is much more common among African Americans than Caucasians. In fact, it is twice as common. It is also the 3rd most common blood cancer in this group. This is especially so among the older population. Many suggest this is because Caucasians respond to treatment better.

Multiple myeloma is also common in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. Research has proven individuals of Asian descent are at the least risk of this cancer. Unfortunately, research has not yet discovered exactly why race influences the development of multiple myeloma.

Does gender influence someone's risk of this cancer? Find out next.