Multiple myeloma is commonly considered one of the rarer cancers. There were 12 times fewer cases than lung cancer in 2018. However, risk can vary widely based on several factors, especially race and ethnicity:
- Asians: 1 in 30,000 individuals develop the disease
- Caucasians: 1 in 20,000 individuals develop the disease
- African Americans: most at risk of developing multiple myeloma; approximately 1 in 7,000 individuals develop the disease
Additional risk factors include age and gender with males at a slightly greater risk than females, as well as the presence of precursor diseases. African Americans are at an increased risk of developing multiple myeloma because they have higher rates of conditions that can lead to myeloma.
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