When Burke Moran, Rob Guba and Mike Jastram hopped on their bikes and left San Diego, the trio were on a mission. This was to be no ordinary bike ride.
The cyclists were headed on a cross country trek to raise awareness and funds for multiple myeloma research, a portion of which would be donated to Mary Bird Perkins. A cancer of the blood and bone marrow, multiple myeloma affects over 35,000 people in the United States every year. While it currently has no known cure, recent medical advancements have led to large increases in the quality and length of patient’s lives.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center provides expert care to help tackle multiple myeloma. Here are some facts to know about the disease.
What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma occurs when healthy plasma cells, which are typically responsible for producing antibodies, turn cancerous. “This change starts a cascade of medical issues and conditions that can affect your bones, your kidneys and your body’s ability to make healthy white and red blood cells and platelets,” according to the American Cancer Society.
Symptoms may not be present in the early stages. However, according to the National Health Service, a range of symptoms can present themselves, ultimately including bone pain, bone fractures and spinal cord compression, anemia, unusual bleeding and kidney problems.
What services does Mary Bird Perkins offer?
Mary Bird Perkins has a multiple myeloma specialist in Dr. Andy Dalovisio, the director of its myeloma, lymphoma, and cellular therapy program. A board-certified hematologic oncologist with a focus on multiple myeloma, plasma cell disorders and lymphoma, Dr. Dalovisio’s unique specialty brings strength to the Cancer Center’s overall program.
Dalovisio said Mary Bird Perkins provides the latest technology to help tackle the disease. “One of our goals at Mary Bird Perkins has been to improve outcomes for our multiple myeloma patients through leading-edge research and care,” he said.
How is multiple myeloma treated?
Like many cancers, treatment options for multiple myeloma have shifted from strict chemotherapy regimens in favor of more targeted approaches, such as cellular and immunotherapy.
“There have been rapid advancements even in the ten years I’ve been tackling the disease,” Dr. Dalovisio said. “For a long time the average rate of survival was only a few years, but over the past (decade) that number has grown to around 10-15 years. Now, people are even starting to talk about potential cures.”
Who is at risk of multiple myeloma?
Certain groups are more susceptible to the disease than others. Age is a factor, with most cases being diagnosed over the age of 65 (the average, according to the American Cancer Society, is 69).
According to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, members of the African American community are particularly susceptible, making up 14% of the country’s population but about 20% of its myeloma patients. For the individuals, the disease is also twice as common, and twice as deadly, as it is for members of the White population.
Multiple myeloma in Louisiana
While multiple myeloma often doesn’t present any symptoms, and there are no established screening guidelines for it, Dalovisio suggests talking to your primary care physician if you have concerns about being at risk.
“In Louisiana, we have one of the top-ten incident rates for multiple myeloma, as well as one of the poorest outcomes,” Dalovisio said. “At Mary Bird Perkins we’re dedicated to being a center of excellence, and we offer specialized options, such as infrastructure for patients in outpatient care, to provide the best care for our patients.”