My Family History with Lymphoma

By Racheli Alkobey

1 min read

When I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, I didn’t think I knew anyone that had this cancer let alone someone in my own family. Shortly after I shared the news with family members, I learned that I shared this disease with multiple cousins of mine. Thinking about the causes of cancer, I wondered if there is a link between lymphoma and our genes. Watch my video to learn about my family history and how I'm participating in research to investigate any sort of genetic connection if there is any!

Do you have any family members who had the same blood cancer as you? Let me know in the comments!

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nordie Member
Hello, I have a sister with Marginal Zone gastric MALT lymphoma and I have MZL,non-gastric MALT. We have a half-brother with Diffuse Large Cell lymphoma as well.
1. Racheli Alkobey Moderator & Contributor
 Thank you so much for sharing this with the community! When I was diagnosed, I couldn't believe that I had a family history of the specific cancer. Has your diagnosis brought you closer to each other?
nordie Member
My hematologist said he is not surprised because he hears of a sibling or a cousin with the disease "all the time".
1. Anthony Carrone Community Admin
 Hey <inline-mention user-id="3651104" username="nordie"/> , I'm sorry to hear about you and you siblings diagnoses. Has it affected your relationship with them in any way? Sending positive thoughts your way! -Anthony
Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
Very interesting. Thanks for posting.
judy14532 Member
I've had multiple myeloma for about 3 years. My mother died of it 30 years ago. Of course they didn't have the treatments for it we have now, I have a chemo shot and sreroids 3 weeks out of four and am doing very well. My blood tests are excellent. The fatigue and lower back pain keep me from socializing and from being as active as I'd like to be. I'm very thankful for the success of my treatment though. I'm 83 years old.
jquall Member
I am a 25 year survivor of Stage 4 NHL. Had one cousin of same generation with different type NHL who fought for 11 months but passed away at MD Anderson. I have another cousin same generation who had Hodgkins. And another cousin second generation who had Hodgkins. We had relatives in previous generations who had Hodgkins also. All on my mother's side.
1. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="jquall" user-id="3645513"/> Sorry to here that this disease has affected your family the way it has. Wonderful to hear that you are a 25 year survivor. Cheers for many more!
2. Dennis Golden Moderator
 <inline-mention username="jquall" user-id="3645513"/> - Agree one day at a time is the only way ... No one in my family was ever diagnosed with NHL - so it was unexpected. At the same time my dad died of cancer at age 57 (today he would be 10😎. Back then it was suggested the lung and abdominal cancer was due to heavy smoking . Who knows? Is interesting that my run in with NHL at 77 showed up in the abdominal lymph nodes. Life has many mysteries -
jquall Member
We found that each of us had experienced an extremely stressful event or series of events prior to being dx. Stress can have very negative effects on our bodies! The 3 of us surviving are so very blessed and grateful. 
1. Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="jquall" user-id="3645513"/> I have done research since being diagnosed and I agree, Stress is horrendous! I am so happy to hear that all of you are surviving and blessed! That's so beautiful! ~Team Member~
2. Katelynn Bauer Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="jquall" user-id="3645513"/> Oh wow that's interesting! I didn't realize stress could trigger it that way. So glad to hear you're all doing ok! Warm wishes, Katelynn (Team Member)
Katelynn Bauer Moderator & Contributor
This is very interesting, my father also had Lymphoma as had I and I believe some of our cousins did as well. We're also Jewish though I don't know if we're European Jews. I should do some research lol. Warm wishes, Katelynn (Team Member)