Living With Multiple Myeloma

More than 32,000 in the United States are diagnosed every year with multiple myeloma. Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer that occurs due to the cancerous white cells. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, which are types of white blood cells found in the bone marrow.In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells grow uncontrollably and crowd the normal plasma cells in the bone marrow.

Dr. Saad Usmani explains that this condition shows symptoms such as fatigue, kidney and bone problems etc. The cause of multiple myeloma is unknown, but it seems to continuously target certain groups.

Since the disease does not have a cure, most people with multiple myeloma will still relapse at some point. Once patients relapse, the disease becomes more difficult to treat. Relapsed refractory multiple myeloma is a complex disease, because as patients relapse, they can become resistant (or refractory) to the therapies they received. 

More than 32,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with multiple myeloma each year and the median age at diagnosis is 69 years old. African Americans are not only at twice the risk of developing multiple myeloma compared to white Americans, they are also more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age.

Robert Pugh shares his story of living with multiple myeloma and recounts his experience when first diagnosed with multiple myeloma during a routine physical. 

“My advice to those first diagnosed would be to spend time with your medical time to get a real idea of where you are. Then, carry out your day to day functions: learning, communicating, and making adjustments. Exercise more, get rest, and communicate with your doctor.”

Learn more about multiple myeloma and available treatments at MyMyelomaoptions.com