Who’s at Risk for Multiple Myeloma? The Truth About Risk & Outcomes (https://www.myeloma.org/videos/whos-risk-multiple-myeloma-truth-about-risk-outcomes)
Who’s at Risk for Multiple Myeloma: Risk & Outcomes
Myeloma doesn’t affect everyone equally. So, who’s most at risk—and why?
Myeloma is twice as common in African Americans compared to other groups. Death rates are also twice as high in African Americans with myeloma. But there’s good news: with equal access to care and treatment, outcomes can be the same across all races and ethnicities. This is why raising awareness and addressing disparities is critical.
Dr. Joseph Mikhael explains the importance of recognizing and overcoming racial disparities in multiple myeloma care and survival, and highlights the work of the IMF’s M-POWER program to improve outcomes for African Americans with myeloma.
Join the #KnowMyeloma campaign during Blood Cancer Awareness Month:
- Share this video with friends & family
- Post your story or a fact about myeloma using #KnowMyeloma
- Help us push for earlier diagnosis, better access to treatment, more research, and true equity in cancer care
Learn more: https://knowmyeloma.org (https://knowmyeloma.org)
Myeloma doesn’t affect everyone equally. Who’s at risk, and why? This graphic shows us the unfortunate reality of multiple myeloma death rates. The death rate is nearly twice as high among African Americans compared to other races and ethnicities.
Not only is myeloma twice as common in African Americans, but the risk of dying from it is also twice as high. However, these numbers are beginning to change. We know that with equal access to therapies—regardless of race or ethnicity—outcomes for myeloma can be similar, and far better than ever before.
That’s why it’s so important to recognize the disparities in survival, to understand why they exist, and to create solutions to overcome them. This is part of the work of the IMF’s M-Power Project, as we seek to improve both short- and long-term outcomes for African Americans with multiple myeloma.
Too many people still ask, “What’s myeloma?” Let’s change that together. You can raise awareness during Blood Cancer Awareness Month by sharing this video with your friends and family. You can also post using the hashtag #KnowMyeloma.
The more people who know about myeloma, the louder our call becomes—for earlier diagnosis, greater access to treatment, more investment in research, and equity in cancer care. Let’s make myeloma known.
Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO
International Myeloma Foundation Medical Advisor
TGen, City of Hope Cancer Center—Phoenix, AZ, USA
Dr Mikhael is a Professor in the Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center. He is also the Director of Myeloma research at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr Mikhael specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. He is the PI of many clinical trials, primarily in relapsed multiple myeloma, and his other clinical research interests include pharmaco-economics, communication skills, and media relations.
Dr. Mikhael recently served as the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) from 2018 to 2026 – he now serves as Medical Advisor to the IMF to provide guidance and strategic input in areas such as patient education, health disparities, collaboration with partners, international research, and publications.
Dr Mikhael has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in these fields and lectures internationally on a regular basis. Dr. Mikhael is deeply committed to health disparities in myeloma and is the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at TGen. Dr. Mikhael is heavily involved in training future researchers and mentors junior faculty worldwide. Dr. Mikhael is an active member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and recently led the ASCO guidelines in myeloma. Dr. Mikhael also serves as the Treasurer on the executive of the American Society of Hematology.
Dr. Mikhael did his medical training in Canada, including a fellowship in Multiple Myeloma at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He also obtained his master’s degree in education from the University of Toronto. He then worked at the Mayo Clinic Arizona as a Hematologist from 2008-2018.