Everyone has different health conditions that are part of their family history. If you have a relative diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, you might wonder whether you have a higher risk of getting it as well.

Although scientists and doctors don’t yet have a full understanding of why some people develop multiple myeloma and others don’t, recent studies are helping us understand its causes. Here's what you need to know if someone in your family has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

What Is Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the plasma cells. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and make up a key part of our immune system as a type of healthy blood cell.

Normally, these plasma cells help you fight infection by making antibodies. However, genetic mutations (changes) can sometimes cause them to grow uncontrollably and become cancerous, affecting nearby tissue. The abnormal plasma cells (also called myeloma cells) can form tumors, which can push out the healthy bone marrow. As a result, the body produces fewer healthy white and red blood cells in the body, leading to problems like infection and anemia. Myeloma cells also produce abnormal antibodies (a type of protein called monoclonal proteins, or M proteins) that can build up and cause damage to the kidneys and bones.

Symptoms of Myeloma

At first, multiple myeloma may not cause any symptoms, or it might cause only mild ones. As one MyMyelomaTeam member shared, “If my oncologist had not diagnosed me, I would not have known that I was sick — I don’t feel bad.”

However, as the disease progresses, you may experience signs and symptoms such as:

• Bone pain or weakness
• Low blood count (anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia)
• High levels of calcium in your blood
• Back pain
• Numbness (typically in the legs)
• Muscle weakness (typically in the legs)
• Confusion or dizziness

“What symptoms of MM do you all experience?” one MyMyelomaTeam member asked. “I have fatigue and back pain,” responded one member. Other symptoms reported by MyMyelomaTeam members include “infections and low-grade fevers,” “anemia,” “bone pain,” and “fractured ribs.”

Treatment of Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is treated depending on the type and stage of the disease. Some people may only require watchful monitoring. Others require more complicated treatment plans, such as:

• Stem cell transplants (also called bone marrow transplants)
• Targeted therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy

Does Multiple Myeloma Run In Families?

The majority of people with multiple myeloma do not have a family history of the disease. However, research suggests that there is a genetic component to the disease. Certain inherited genetic variations may increase a person’s risk of developing multiple myeloma, while other genetic factors could lower the risk of developing the condition.

Environmental factors may also play a role. For example, exposure to the chemical benzene — commonly found in crude oil, gasoline, and other industrial products — has been linked to an increased risk of myeloma.

Additionally, according to the journal Blood Advances, multiple myeloma is more than twice as common in African Americans than in white Americans, though the reasons remain unclear. In general, racial differences in disease are usually due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Does Having a Close Relative With Multiple Myeloma Increase My Risk?

Research suggests that people with a first-degree relative (such as a parent or sibling) diagnosed with multiple myeloma are about four times as likely to develop the disease.

However, it’s hard to separate genetic factors from environmental ones, like those shared by siblings who grew up in the same household. As one MyMyelomaTeam member said, “It may not be hereditary, but it sure is familial.”

Another member noted that they and their father had both spent several years in the army and were both diagnosed with multiple myeloma. “From what I have learned, this is not a hereditary disease, yet here we are,” they said, adding that their sister was also going to be tested.

Screening for Multiple Myeloma in Cases of Family History

If you have any relatives who have had myeloma, make sure to mention it to your oncologist when explaining your family history. In a report in Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice, the authors wrote, “Although familial multiple myeloma is very rare, screening should be offered to selected families for whom the health problem is significant.”

According to Moffitt Cancer Center, because it’s multiple myeloma is so rare, there is no benefit to screening for it. If someone has signs or symptoms of myeloma — such as frequent infections, poor kidney function, or unexplained anemia — they should speak to their doctor about getting tested.

Your doctor may do multiple myeloma genetic testing to look for any genetic mutations or abnormalities. If you have symptoms, additional tests could include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Imaging tests to check for bone problems
• Bone marrow biopsy

One MyMyelomaTeam member shared, “They found my husband’s multiple myeloma with bloodwork. Then they did a bone marrow biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.”

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyMyelomaTeam is the social network for people with multiple myeloma and their loved ones. On MyMyelomaTeam, more than 27,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with myeloma.

Does multiple myeloma run in your family? Are you worried about your risk of multiple myeloma after a family member’s myeloma diagnosis? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.