Myeloma, a type of blood cancer originating from plasma cells, presents a significant health challenge, especially in Black communities. It ranks as the 19th most common cancer globally, accounting for 2% of all new cancer diagnoses annually, primarily affecting older adults. According to Myeloma UK, while the risk remains small, myeloma is two to three times more common among Black individuals compared to White populations.
However, the statistics only tell part of the story. Health inequalities significantly shape how Black people experience diagnosis, treatment, and care for conditions like myeloma. A study by Clearview revealed that 60% of Black people in the UK believe their health is not equally protected compared to their White counterparts.
Maureen’s Journey with Myeloma
We sat down with Maureen Martin to discuss her journey. Maureen was diagnosed with myeloma in 2017 at the age of 55. She initially visited her GP due to an ongoing irritation in her throat following eating a piece of bread in a hurry. During the appointment, her doctor noticed that she hadn’t had a blood test in a while. Maureen thought little of it at the time. However, while she was on a trip to Jamaica, she received a life-changing phone call. She had been diagnosed with myeloma and needed to return to the UK immediately. Shock and uncertainty washed over her—what would this mean for her future?
Fortunately, Maureen was enrolled in a successful clinical trial and has been in remission since. This experience, however, became a turning point in her life. An ambitious and successful civil servant, Maureen quickly realised that health and happiness outweighed any material wealth. Despite her diagnosis, she refused to let the cancer define her life, embracing this second chance with gratitude and strength.
A chance for reflection
Reflecting on her experience with myeloma, Maureen shared some personal insights:
“When I first found out, I was in shock. I walked three miles just to process the news. I didn’t want to know more at the time. I just wanted to get through it, asking the doctors questions as I went along.
Had I known the signs earlier, I might have been diagnosed sooner. Looking back, I didn’t recognise some of the symptoms, like the fatigue and bone pain I was feeling. But now I understand that those were early warning signs.”
Maureen also emphasised how important awareness is:
“It’s crucial to promote awareness of myeloma, especially in the Black community. People need to recognise symptoms like bone fractures, tiredness or chronic pain. I didn’t realise my inability to lift my hand on the tube was related to myeloma. People need to know that these could be signs of something more serious.”
Advocating for Better Representation: Maureen’s Involvement with Myeloma UK
In 2019, Maureen became involved with Myeloma UK, joining their advocacy panels to ensure more representation, particularly for Black people, who are disproportionately affected by this cancer.
Since 2019, Maureen has been an outspoken advocate for Myeloma UK, working to bridge the gap in representation and ensure that those who need a voice are heard. Her efforts aim to help Myeloma UK better reflect the diversity of the communities affected by this cancer.
Myeloma UK and the Race Equality Foundation partnership
In recognition of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, we are excited to announce a new partnership between Myeloma UK and the Race Equality Foundation, aimed at improving awareness and outcomes for Black communities affected by this disease. Myeloma UK is the only UK-based organisation solely dedicated to this type of cancer, while we have a proven track record in addressing racial inequality in healthcare. Together, we are uniquely positioned to change the landscape of myeloma diagnosis and treatment for Black individuals.
This collaboration calls for urgent action to tackle the health disparities in myeloma care. The longer diagnosis times for Black patients and the lack of information available to Black communities are unacceptable. Through this initiative, we aim to raise awareness, promote earlier diagnoses, and improve treatment outcomes, ultimately reducing the impact of myeloma in Black communities.
Looking Forward
This partnership between Myeloma UK and the Race Equality Foundation marks an important step in addressing the disparities in myeloma care for Black communities. We are committed to closing the gap in diagnosis times, raising awareness of symptoms, and ensuring that everyone has equal access to life-saving care.
Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved and help spread the word about myeloma.
Maureen’s Vision for the Future
“Any effort to engage the Black community and raise awareness is a step in the right direction. Even if just one person gets diagnosed early, that’s a life saved, and the word will spread. The level of awareness simply isn’t there right now. The Black community is more likely to develop myeloma, and yet the general knowledge about this disease is low. Awareness and education will spark conversations, make people think twice about their symptoms, and lead to earlier diagnoses.
People often confuse myeloma with melanoma, the skin cancer, but they are entirely different diseases. We need more visibility so that when someone hears about myeloma, they’ll know it’s not something to ignore.”
Find out more about the project here.
