MULTIPLE MYELOMA: THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS IN BLACK COMMUNITIES

JANSSEN’S THAT’S MY WORD™ CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THIS RARE BLOOD CANCER TO HELP ERADICATE RACIAL AND SOCIAL INJUSTICE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT

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BACKGROUND:
Each year, approximately 35,000 people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) in the United States, and more than 20 percent of all cases occur in Black people. While MM is often diagnosed in people over 60, Black people are typically diagnosed 5-10 years earlier than other ethnicities.

Although patients within Black communities are less likely to have a more aggressive form of the disease, they are twice as likely to die from MM because it often goes undetected until it has spread or progressed. Early diagnosis, equal access to care and early treatment initiation are critical for Black patients to achieve better outcomes.

Janssen Oncology has launched a national campaign, That’s My Word™, to drive awareness and better health outcomes for MM among Black communities. That’s My Word™ is bringing together trusted voices among Black communities and aims to be a source of information through resources that are specifically for Black patients and their care partners. The campaign has issued a national call to action for Multiple Myeloma Promises – or pledges – to raise awareness and help create better MM health outcomes in Black communities.

On Wednesday, March 15, Tiffany Williams, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age 46 talked more about the significance of her early diagnosis. She was joined by Tricia Elam Walker, who lost her brother Guru, a famous American rapper and record producer, to multiple myeloma at age 48 just a few months after he was diagnosed but did not initiate treatment. They both discussed why they are passionate about joining the That’s My Word™ campaign.

For more information and to make your Multiple Myeloma Promise, please visit: https://www.thatsmywordmm.com/

MORE ABOUT TIFFANY WILLIAMS:
Tiffany Williams is a mother, wife, retired pediatric nurse practitioner and cancer advocate residing in Charleston, South Carolina. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2013 and has made it her mission to improve outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma through her work as an advocate.

MORE ABOUT TRICIA ELAM WALKER:
Tricia Elam Walker is an award-winning author, attorney and educator. She is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Howard University in Washington, DC, and currently resides in Takoma Park, MD with her husband.

Interview Provided by: Janssen Oncology