MARCH THRUSTS THE SPOTLIGHT ONTO AN OFTEN-OVERLOOKED adversary: multiple myeloma. Myeloma Awareness Month is a stark reminder of patients’ challenges and the critical need for increased understanding and support.
I only recently realized that March is the month for Myeloma Awareness. I felt especially bad as I know several individuals with the condition.
In this essay, I will shatter the silence surrounding myeloma, raise awareness, and unite against this formidable foe.
Famous People With Myeloma
- Colin Powell was a towering presence in American public life, renowned for his military prowess, diplomatic acumen, and literary contributions. He died of multiple myeloma. Learn more about this extraordinary man in his New York Times obituary.
- Tom Brokaw is a well-known NBC news correspondent. In February 2014, he announced he had myeloma.
- Geraldine Ferraro was a U.S. Democratic Party politician. Ferraro presented with multiple myeloma in 1998 and succumbed to the disease in 2011.
- Roy Scheider was best known for his role in the thriller “Jaws,” passed away at the age of 75 from multiple myeloma.
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that messes with the body’s defense system.
The disease leads to the creation of too many plasma cells, which normally help fight infections.
But in people with this cancer, these cells go haywire. This phenomenon weakens their immune system, making them more likely to get sick.
Symptoms
Besides immune system compromise, multiple myeloma can also cause other serious problems, including the following:
- Bones that easily break
- Fever, for unknown reasons
- Frequent infections
- Bone pain, especially in the back or ribs
- Trouble breathing
- Weak arms or legs
- Generalized fatigue
Other conditions can also cause these symptoms. Please talk to your primary healthcare provider if you have any of them.
Sometimes, Myeloma Produces No Symptoms
Oh, one more thing: Sometimes, myeloma does not cause symptoms.
A clinician may suspect myeloma based on a blood or urine test conducted for other conditions.
The test can reveal a protein level higher than normal.
Key Statistics
The American Cancer Society’s estimates for multiple myeloma in the United States for 2024 are:
- About 35,780 new cases will be diagnosed (19,520 in men and 16,260 in women).
- About 12,540 deaths are expected to occur (7,020 in men and 5,520 in women).
In the United States, the average lifetime risk of getting multiple myeloma is about one in 103 for men and about one in 131 for women.
However, based on risk factors, each person’s risk might be higher or lower than this.
More Demographics
Here are the myeloma incidence rates by ethnicity:
And by age:
Good News: Survival is Rising
Even though more people are getting diagnosed with multiple myeloma, the good news is that fewer are dying from it.
Over the past five to ten years, the chances of surviving multiple myeloma have gotten a lot better.
For example, if you were diagnosed between 2011 and 2017, you had a 56 percent chance of surviving five years after diagnosis. Compare that to only a 27 percent chance if you were diagnosed in the late ’80s.
This improvement is due to new treatments.
Innovative management approaches include better drugs and therapies (including autologous stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, and more), which have become standard treatments for the disease.
Actionable – Myeloma Awareness Month
You may slightly reduce your myeloma risk by maintaining a normal body weight.
The management of multiple myeloma has evolved significantly, transforming it into a chronic condition with promising treatment outcomes.
This shift marks a remarkable success story in the field, offering a solid foundation for further advancements.
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