Can You Get Multiple Myeloma On the Job???

a couple of years ago
/ Multiple Myeloma
/ By David Emerson
/ 14 COMMENTS

According to the WHO, there are as many as 107 classified chemical agents, mixtures and exposure situations which are carcinogenic-some for multiple myeloma

Can you get multiple myeloma (MM) on the job? Yes, but its complicated. Your job can increase your risk of a multiple myeloma diagnosis by exposing you to certain chemicals. But it is difficult to prove that exposure to chemicals caused your MM.

I worked in a commercial printing plant during the five years preceding my MM diagnosis. I was exposed to benzene, the number 1 risk factor listed in the article below. I also worked in a stressful job and had several other risk factors that increased my risk of MM… so I can never be sure. I’m pretty sure that benzene pushed me toward multiple myeloma but I can’t say it caused my cancer.

According to the illustration to the left, there are a number of risks associated with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Do you have any of these risks?

Have you been diagnosed with MM? I am a MM survivor and MM cancer coach. Please watch the short video below to learn more about the MM Cancer Coaching program that I researched and created based on my evidence-based, non-toxic, anti-MM lifestyle.

To Learn More about possible causes of Pre-Myeloma- click now

David Emerson

MM Survivor
MM Cancer Coach
Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Can your job give you cancer?

“Some people are genetically predisposed to cancer, while others increase their risk through lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet, smoking and drinking.

But environmental factors, though smaller, can also play a role in the increase of your risk for cancer. According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 19% of cancers worldwide are caused by environmental factors such as the workplace, causing nearly 1.3 million deaths yearly.

Risk factors

According to the WHO, there are as many as 107 classified chemical agents, mixtures and exposure situations which are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) to humans.

According to CANSA, the following chemicals are the most common in South African occupations:

Benzene (workers who work with petrochemical compounds such as diesel fumes)
Hexavalent chromium (workers who work with compounds including electroplating, welding, and chromate painting)
Formaldehyde (workers in synthetic chemical industries and in beauty salons)
Coke oven emissions (steel industry workers)
Asphalt fumes (road tar workers)

These occupations were found to increase cancer risk:

1. Workers in the agricultural sector

Exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancer, but contact with pesticides and fertiliser can also significantly increase cancer risk…”

9/11 Firefighters at Risk for Multiple Myeloma

“Following the attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York, NY, on 9/11 (September 11, 2001), thousands of first responders were exposed to carcinogens in dust and gases. Since then, researchers have wondered about the possible impact on cancer rates.

Although some studies have found an elevated risk of multiple myeloma and other cancers in first responders, others have not. In the most recent and largest study to date, exposed firefighters had roughly twice the risk of developing multiple myeloma precursor disease as the general population…

Landgren says the study was triggered when physicians at his institution reported seeing aggressive cases of multiple myeloma in relatively young WTC responders. The researchers analyzed the 16 cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed among Fire Department of New York (FDNY) firefighters since 9/11. The median age at diagnosis was 57 years, roughly 12 years younger than the national average age at onset.

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Chan says 3 years ago

I wish I could have known you sooner. My dearest mom passed away last May after only 17months of battling. I keep thinking about her journey. What could have been done differently. May we chat for a bit please?

David Emerson says 3 years ago

Hi Chan-

I am sorry for your loss. It is difficult to think about what we might have done differently. I constantly write the phrase “I wish I knew then what I know now.” The challenge with us talking is that I can’t offer much without knowing the specifics about your mom’s situation- her stage at diagnosis, FLChains, m-spike, immunoglobulins, CRAB symptoms, etc.

Hang in there,

Janice Rainey says 3 years ago

I have had MM since 2015. My marker IgA is over 2000 now and oncologist wants me to do a clinical trail. I have been holistic since 2016 only going to Emory for blood work. Can you help me?

Hi Janice-

Yes I can help. My first question would be about the need or benefit of a clinic trial for you rather than standard treatment. In order to answer that we should talk about your diagnostic testing information.

1) Your IgA is over 2000-
2) do you know your kidney function, kidney health? BUN or creatinine?
3) do you know your m-spike aka monoclonal protein?
4) how do you feel? Fatigue? Bone pain?

The Winship Institute is an excellent center for MM care. Holistic therapies are also an important component.

I only ask these questions to provide you with a more complete picture of your choices.

Let me know and we’ll go from there.

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Can You Get Multiple Myeloma On the Job???

According to the WHO, there are as many as 107 classified chemical agents, mixtures and exposure situations which are carcinogenic-some for multiple myeloma

Recommended Reading:

Can your job give you cancer?

9/11 Firefighters at Risk for Multiple Myeloma

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