Multiple myeloma (MM) is more common in men than women. The ratio of male to female diagnosis is about 1.4 : 1. The American Cancer Society predicts that 11,170 men and 9,010 women will be diagnosed with this disease in 2010. Multiple myeloma is also twice as common in African Americans than in Caucasians. (1) The cause for this difference is unknown.
Recognized risk factors include(1)(2):
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Age - Risk of developing MM is higher for the elderly. The median age of diagnosis is 67.
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Gender - Men are more likely to develop MM than women.
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Race - African Americans are more likely to develop MM than other ethnicities.
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Radiation exposure
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Family history - Prior family history of myeloma increases risk MM development.
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Jobs with exposure to petroleum products
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Obesity - Studies suggest that obesity may increase risk.
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Other plasma cell diseases - People with diseases affecting B cells, including plasmacytoma and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) are more likely to develop MM.
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