Most regular readers will know I love a good “Awareness Week” blog post! So here is another! Today marks the start of Myeloma Awareness Week. This blog post is dedicated to my fellow Cancer Research UK Ambassador, Elizabeth Anne Bailey, as she lost her dad to this type of cancer.
What is Myeloma?
Myeloma is a cancer that develops from cells known as plasma cells. These are found in the bone marrow which is a spongy tissue found inside the inner part of some of our bones. Bone marrow different types of blood cells. Myeloma can develop in any place plasma cells are found. As this can often be more than one part of the body, it is often known as multiple myeloma.
Causes and Risks:
Myeloma is a rare type of cancer and exact causes are not yet known. It is more common in black people then in white or Asian. It is also more common in men then it is women. Older people are more likely to develop myeloma; it is very rare in people under forty years of age. Obesity is a probable risk factor, as is previously undergoing radiation treatment.
Symptoms:
Multiple myeloma doesn’t always have symptoms, especially in its early stages. However, about 7/10 myeloma sufferers will go to the doctor because they have pain, mostly in the ribs and lower back. These pains are usually caused by too many plasma cells collecting there. The bones become damaged by the large numbers of plasma cells.
Other symptoms include:
A fractured bone, thirst, feeling sick, is sick, passing lots of urine, tiredness, shortness of breath, repeated infections or infections that are difficult to shake off, unusual bleeding, swollen ankles and bruising easier than normal.
Not all of these symptoms automatically mean you have myeloma; most of the time there will be a perfectly innocent reason behind them. But if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please do make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can.
So that’s a basic introduction to myeloma. I will be doing another post on treatment and living with myeloma during the week. Please do visit www.cancerresearchuk.org if you want/need more information in the meantime
:) xx
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