Reducing Your Risk of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

June 10, 2008 - 7:30am

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Reducing Your Risk of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

At this time there are no specific guidelines for reducing your risk of ]]>MDS]]> . The cause is unknown and most of the identified risk factors are beyond your control. The only risk factor you can control to a certain extent is your exposure to industrial chemicals.

Industrial Exposures

If you are exposed to any chemical for prolonged periods of time, check with a Poison Control Center (in the phone book or at http://www.aapcc.org/ ) to determine the risks associated with this exposure. If your exposure is at work, there may be information or assistance available through your employer. The toxins suspected of causing MDS are petrochemicals, benzene, and rubber.

Congenital Syndromes

]]>Down’s syndrome]]> , Fanconi’s anemia, or von Recklinghausen’s disease all increase your risk of MDS. If you have one of these conditions, you should be monitored regularly by your doctor for signs of MDS.

Medical Treatments

]]>Radiation therapy]]> and ]]>chemotherapy]]> , used almost exclusively for treating cancer, may increase your risk of MDS very slightly. If you have received either of these treatments, see your doctor for checkups on a regular basis.

References:

American Association of Poison Control Centers website. Available at: http://www.aapcc.org .

Castro-Malaspina H, O’Reilly RJ. Aplastic anemia and the myelodysplastic syndromes. In: Kasper DL, Harrison TR. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.

Silverman LR. Myelodysplastic syndrome. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancer_information/ . Accessed November 30, 2002.

Last reviewed February 2009 by ]]>Igor Puzanov, MD]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.