STUDIO CITY, December 20, 2023—The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) proudly announces the publication of a new study addressing disparities among African American patients with multiple myeloma in Blood Cancer Journal. 

The study is authored by IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael and notable myeloma experts: Dr. Manisha Bhutani (Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute—Charlotte, NC); Dr. Brandon J. Blue (Moffitt Cancer Center—Tampa FL); Dr. Craig Cole (Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University—Lansing, MI); Dr. Ashraf Z. Badros (University of Maryland School of Medicine—Baltimore, MD); Dr. Saad Z. Usmani (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center—New York, NY), Dr. Ajay K. Nooka (Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University—Atlanta, GA); and Dr. Leon Bernal-Mizrachi (Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University—Atlanta, GA). 

Addressing the disparities: the approach to the African American patient with multiple myeloma is a review article by “a group of experts committed to health disparity in multiple myeloma” and “provides a snapshot of disparities at both biologic and non-biologic levels, barriers to clinical care, and best practices to ensure that African American patients receive the best care available.” 

According to facts and figures elaborated in the review article, “multiple myeloma is the number one hematologic malignancy among African American patients, with an estimated 7,810 new cases and 2,530 myeloma deaths in this population in 2022.” (Giaquinto AN, Miller KD, Tossas KY, Winn RA, Jemal A, Siegel RL. Cancer statistics for African American/Black people 2022. CA Cancer J Clin. 2022;72:202–29.) 

“Understanding the disparities and their underlying driving factors is important for practicing physicians as studies have shown that providers are less likely to deliver effective treatments to African American patients when compared to their White counterparts, even after controlling for characteristics like class, health behaviors, comorbidities, and access to health insurance and health care services,” states the study further. 

In its concluding remarks, the article states that “the evolving understanding of the impact of racial diversity on clinical outcomes in multiple myeloma calls for the need for more racially and socioeconomically inclusive approaches to diagnosis and treatment.” 

“There are multiple points along the journey of patient with multiple myeloma that can be leveraged to improve patient care and reduce disparities: 

• Understanding biological vulnerabilities at racial level is important when investigating cancer risks across races. 
• Reducing disparities is a dynamic process that evolves over time. 
• Addressing the presence of bias and discrimination directly at the level of the individual is the key to improving cultural sensitivity and competence. 
• Empowering individuals to report symptoms accurately, encouraging physicians to examine their own cultural beliefs and stereotypical perceptions, and modifying counterproductive beliefs and attitudes regarding care are some of the key best practices. 
• Engaging community partners to raise awareness about clinical trials is a powerful tool to increase diversity.  
• Ensuring that new innovations and treatment strategies are delivered equitably will engender a culture where quality is valued for all patients.” 

For more details, read the full article in Blood Cancer Journal. 

Dr. Mikhael explains the rationale behind the study: “Multiple myeloma is the most disparate of all cancers in the African American community, where a Black man or woman diagnosed with myeloma is expected to live half as long as a White man or woman of equivalent age. This inequity is unacceptable – our paper brings together experts in myeloma with a passion for reducing health disparities to outline a practical plan to address the disparity. We trust this will serve as a tool for others as we all seek to achieve health equity in the country and the clinic.” 

Dr. Mikhael spearheads the IMF’s M-Power Project, which aims to turn the core vision of the IMF Diversity Initiative into a reality: improving the short- and long-term outcomes of African American patients with multiple myeloma. By partnering with cities across the U.S. and by raising myeloma awareness and empowering healthcare professionals, community leaders, neighborhoods, and families, the M-Power Project aims to break down barriers for the African American myeloma community.   

To know more about the International Myeloma Foundation’s M-Power Project, visit mpower.myeloma.org.