Miles And Miles Of Awareness For Bone Marrow Cancer Myeloma

Main Category: Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 22 Jun 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Myeloma Awareness Week started this Thursday (21-28 June) and hundreds of people up and down the country were taking part to raise awareness of this little known cancer of the bone marrow.

A 'Mile for Myeloma' is the theme of this year's annual awareness week, which falls during the 10th anniversary year of Myeloma UK, the only charity in the UK dedicated exclusively to providing information and support for myeloma patients and their families.

Fundraisers around the country will don Myeloma UK's signature bright orange t-shirts and undertake sponsored miles to raise money and highlight awareness of the cancer which affects between 15,000- 20,000 people in the UK at any one time.

There are around 100 events being organised around the country, ranging from a team of nurses walking across the Humber Bridge, a 30 mile beach walk in Great Yarmouth, a fancy dress and 'sing a mile for myeloma' event in East Anglia, and a vertical mile high skydive.

Myeloma is an incurable, complex and debilitating cancer of plasma cells which are found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are responsible for providing the body with the majority of its immune function. It can have a devastating impact, destroying the bones of the body, leaving patients at risk of fractures and breaks. It interferes with the immune system and impairs kidney function.

Eric Low, Chief Executive of Myeloma UK, said: "So much has been achieved in myeloma in the last 10 years since the charity set up, and our annual Awareness Week has played a major role in raising public awareness of this complex and challenging cancer. There is still so much more to be done however. Our events and activities this year are simple but have the potential to have a high impact and really raise awareness of myeloma."

For more information about myeloma and any of the events taking place across the country, please contact Sara Smith on 01454 318861 or 07795 421710.

About Myeloma

-- Myeloma is a debilitating form of bone marrow cancer, which is currently incurable, but treatable

-- It is a cancer of the plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow. Most symptoms are caused by build up of defective plasma cells in the marrow, these include: bone pain, bone fractures, fatigue, anaemia and an increased burden of infections

-- The incidence of myeloma is increasing faster than any other cancer in the Western world. It has increased by 30% over the past 30 years

-- It is more common than all but one form of leukaemia

-- Nearly 4,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with myeloma each year and there are between 15,000-20,000 myeloma patients in the UK at any one time.

-- Until recently, the average life expectancy of a newly-diagnosed myeloma patient is 3-5 years, but new treatment advances means that people are living longer and it is hoped that myeloma will one day become a chronic, rather than incurable disease

-- Treatment in myeloma is aimed at halting the progress of disease and treating the symptoms of the disease to maintain and improve the patient's quality of life

-- The most common forms of treatment include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, steroids, stem cell transplants, thalidomide and new treatments such as Velcade

-- Originally considered an older person's disease, the incidence of myeloma is now increasing in the young, with 10-15% of patients now under the age of 55

About Myeloma UK

Myeloma UK informs and supports people affected by myeloma and helps improve treatment and standards of care through research, education and awareness. Registered as a charity in 1997, Myeloma UK is the only organisation in the United Kingdom dealing exclusively with myeloma and its related disorders. Myeloma UK's aim is to provide a better future for people affected by myeloma through:

-- Providing vital information and support, at a time when people most need it and tailored in a way to suit each individual

-- Increasing public awareness of the disease and its implications

-- Improving standards of treatment and care

-- Better understanding the biology of myeloma through investing in research

Myeloma UK, formerly known as the International Myeloma Foundation (UK), informs and supports people affected by myeloma, and helps improve treatment and standards of care through research and education. Registered as a charity in 1997, Myeloma UK is the only organisation in the UK dealing specifically with myeloma and its related disorders.

International Myeloma Foundation (UK)

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