Can Multiple Myeloma Be Prevented?
There is no sure way to prevent multiple myeloma. But there might be things you can do to help lower your risk.
Lowering your risk of multiple myeloma
Most of the risk factors for multiple myeloma, like your age and family history, can’t be changed or controlled. But there are things you can do that might help lower your risk:
- Get to and stay at a healthy weight.
- If possible, avoid radiation and chemicals that might raise multiple myeloma risk.
MGUS and the risk of myeloma
Some people are known to be at increased risk of myeloma. This includes people with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). At this time, there is no known way to prevent people with MGUS from getting multiple myeloma, but this is an active area of research.
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- References
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Jevremovic D. Multiple myeloma: Pathobiology. UpToDate. 2024. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/multiple-myeloma-pathobiology on January 6, 2025.
Rajkumar SV, Dispenzieri A. Chapter 101: Multiple myeloma and related disorders. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 6th edition. Philadelphia, PA. Elsevier: 2020.
Last Revised: February 28, 2025
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