March is Myeloma Awareness Month
- Amanda Bridges
- March 22, 2022
- Diversity & Inclusion
Racial disparity in myeloma has been evident in incidence and mortality with a twofold difference. Similarly, earlier age at diagnosis and monoclonal gammopathy are almost double in blacks compared to whites.
The encouraging news is that outcomes can be similar if access and appropriate treatment specifically bortezomib and autologous transplant are utilized.
There have been significant efforts to narrow the gap through awareness and education from industry, organizations, and government with published framework for clinical trials ( Nicole Gormley et al; Recommendations on Eliminating Racial Disparities in Multiple Myeloma Therapies: A Step toward Achieving Equity in Healthcare. Blood Cancer Discovery 1 March 2021; 2 (2): 119–124) and active clinical trials (https://www.enroll.promisestudy.org/).
The projection of the incidence of myeloma circa 2032 to 2034 who are racial or ethnic minorities is expected to increase, from 29% to 37% among men and from 34% to 38% among women.” ( Philip S. Rosenberg et al; Future distribution of multiple myeloma in the United States by sex, age, and race/ethnicity. Blood 2015; 125 (2): 410–412).
These observations are not to draw on the difference of race but the difference in access placing emphasis on care and the effects of social determinants.
Simply referral of every newly diagnosed myeloma patient of BIPOC to the major myeloma organizations as IMF, LLS, and MMRF can increase education, decrease barriers to care and continue narrowing the gap. Community engagement to reduce mistrust to improve the 5% accrual rate in clinical trials in patients of minority remains a core need.