How strange - father and daughter both have MDS

MDS (myelodysplastic syndromes) is a very rare disease having only a few thousand people diagnosed each year in the UK. Roz aged 41 was diagnosed in Oct 2009 after feeling run down and having a routine blood test. She thought she might have anemia.  This was in itself very unusual as the vast majority of people who get it are aged over 60. After repeated tests Roz has now (Sep 2010) started treatment in King’s College Hospital London. Every one may have slightly different treatments. With Roz she is having two courses of chemo-therapy, to be followed by a bone marrow transplant. She expects to be back home by Christmas, and if the transplant is a full success this will result in a complete cure.
A few weeks ago Richard, her dad, also had a routine blood test and was surprised and a little alarmed from a family perspective, that he also might well have a similar problem. In his case the reason he went to the doctor was beacsue of short term memory loss. After tests it has been confirmed today that he also has MDS, but a different variety. Tests also show that it is not hereditary.