Myeloma in Black communities

Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a blood cancer arising from plasma cells. At any one time there are over 33,000 people living with myeloma in the UK. It accounts for 15 per cent of blood cancers, and two per cent of all cancers.

Black people and myeloma

• Myeloma is the most common blood cancer affecting Black people. 
• Myeloma is 2-3 times more common in Black people. 
• Black people are more likely to be younger at diagnosis than White people (66 years versus 70 years, respectively). 

Having conversations about cancer in the Black community can sometimes be difficult, and this topic can be seen as taboo or off-limits. But it’s important to know the signs of myeloma.   

We want to help people have better knowledge about their risk of myeloma and understand the symptoms. We know from conversations with people in the myeloma community that they often had symptoms for a long time before they were diagnosed. We want to empower people to advocate for themselves and spread awareness in their community, so that we can improve diagnosis time and create better outcomes. 

The most recognisable symptoms of myeloma

Some of the most common symptoms and complications you might experience include:

Pain

Persistent pain, usually in the back, ribs or hips, without a clear cause that doesn’t go away even when resting

It might feel like:

“Bones were aching, felt as if my bones were being squeezed in a device”

or

“It was like a small elastic band was pulling my shoulder blades together. When I tried to lift my arms to brush my hair, the elastic band got even shorter and tighter.”

Easily broken bones

Breaks or fractures to bones – particularly in the back, rib cage or hips – that happen more easily than they should

It might feel like:

“Lying flat in bed became impossible, I used to sleep sat up in a chair. When I lay flat I felt
like I couldn’t breathe.”

or

“My fall from a low stool initially felt like I might have caught a nerve, due to the sharpness of
pain. I didn’t imagine a fall from less than a couple of feet would cause my bones to break.”

Fatigue

Persistent tiredness or breathlessness that can’t be explained by anything else

It might feel like:

“I was able to do 10,000 steps a day but this fell to 2,000 or less.”

or

“I could fall asleep anywhere very quickly even if I had slept all night. I could be falling
asleep after breakfast!”

Recurring infection

Recurring or persistent infections e.g. throat, chest or urinary

It might feel like:

“Lots of chest infections and picked up any illnesses going.”

or

“Had urine infection it would go away for a while but always came back.”

Personal stories from the myeloma community

Simone, Marlene and Mercy share their insights on living well with myeloma.

Mel shared his diagnosis as part of our ‘Know the warning signs’ awareness campaign.

Download our symptom translator

Describing vague symptoms can make being heard tricky. So we created our symptom translator to help people have better conversations with their GPs and make sure no one falls through the net.  

Designed with the help of people living with myeloma and GPs, the handy guide lists examples of symptoms in patients’ own words alongside the corresponding medical term for each. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing the warning signs of myeloma, then download the symptom translator and take it with you to your GP.