[Mark11]

Re: Are multiple myeloma cases on the rise?

by Mark11 on Wed Feb 25, 2015 10:53 am

Boris,

Thanks for such informative posts!

Mark

[DanielR]

Re: Are multiple myeloma cases on the rise?

by DanielR on Wed Feb 25, 2015 4:43 pm

It appears to me that the issue of better and earlier diagnosis of myeloma cannot be over-emphasized. I was diagnosed in January of 2013, and at that time my PCP (at one of the largest medical facilities in Honolulu), had never heard of myeloma.

Admittedly, he was part of the "Old Guard". I say this because I don't believe you could find any of the younger PCPs at this facility today who are not somewhat familiar with myeloma and its primary symptoms.

Still, by the time I was diagnosed, my myeloma was so far advanced that no one expected me to live. If I had died, I'm certain whatever I had died from would have remained a mystery. I can't help but wonder how many "Old Guard" doctors still remain in major facilities, and how many more remain uninformed in rural areas and facilities?

If I'm right, it seems logical to assume that there may yet be many cases of myeloma going un- or mis-diagnosed each year.

[Boris Simkovich]

Re: Are multiple myeloma cases on the rise?

by Boris Simkovich on Wed Feb 25, 2015 9:05 pm

Thanks for your feedback, Mark.

And I agree with you, Daniel. Delays in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma still occur far too frequently. There is constant evidence of that here in the forum in the introductions that new members post. All too often, those postings include tales of diagnoses dragging on far longer than they should have.