(NAPSI)—While there is hopeful news in the battle against a rare blood disease, challenges remain, particularly in the African-American community.
That’s the word from experts who say multiple myeloma (MM) is an aggressive and rapidly progressive form of cancer that causes certain white blood cells, normally responsible for combating illnesses, to be overproduced. This proliferation of abnormal cells is known as myeloma cells, and can lead to the growth of tumors that may potentially spread to multiple sites in the body.
During the past 10-15 years, there has been a concentrated effort in developing updated and more effective medical treatments for this disease, which sees an average of 15,000 – 20,000 newly diagnosed cases in the U.S. each year.
As a result, new therapies are providing more effective treatment options for patients, increasing overall survival, in some cases as much as 10 years post-diagnosis. Multiple myeloma, not unlike many cancers, has become more of a managed illness for patients and their caregivers, but the illness is not without one curious health phenomenon: While the incident and mortality rates for multiple myeloma have mostly leveled off, this has not been the case within the African-American community, which has seen significant growth of the disease when compared to Caucasian populations.
As a result, this rare form of blood cancer disproportionately affects African-Americans and is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among this population. Studies indicate that African-Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with this disease versus Caucasians and other ethnic groups, and data also points toward an increased incidence and younger onset of the disease.
Treatment Challenges Still Remain
The causes and reasons for this spike of activity, as well as the racial disparity in incidence and mortality, remain unclear. Various elements such as diet, socioeconomic status, and occupation have been closely studied to determine the root causes of this discrepancy, but nothing conclusive has been drawn.
Although the elevated risk of contracting multiple myeloma is seemingly elevated among African-Americans who live at certain socioeconomic levels and who operate within particular occupations, further research and discussion are required in order to determine the environmental and genetic factors that may determine multiple myeloma.
Additionally, data demonstrates that African-Americans also have a lower rate for becoming potential bone marrow and stem cell donors than other indigenous groups, and are less likely to participate in clinical trials with novel treatments. These facts are disconcerting among public health leaders who shoulder the responsibility to help these patients receive current disease information, but use that data for treatment.
With a clearer understanding of the genesis of the myeloma patient’s condition, the attending physician may suggest the intervention of an oncologist who will make a more accurate cancer diagnosis. It’s critical for African-Americans who experience any type of bone or muscle pain, numbness in their extremities, muscle weakness or infections, including pneumonia, to schedule an appointment with their physician to determine the extent of their condition.
Beyond Treatment—An Informed Black Community
There are a growing number of available resources to African-Americans who are living with MM or those who suspect they may have contracted this blood cancer. Groups such as the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, International Myeloma Foundation and Tackle Cancer Foundation are excellent sources for gathering important information about symptoms, treatment options, oncologists and a myriad of data that may impact a future cancer patient.
In fact, one of these resources that is directed at African-Americans and recently became available is an educational DVD co-sponsored by the Tackle Cancer Foundation and Millennium. “Multiple Myeloma in the African-American Community” is an effective resource for patients and caregivers and spearheaded by Kimberly Alexander, who lost her husband, Elijah, to multiple myeloma.
“My desire to stay educated about multiple myeloma didn’t end when my husband lost his battle with cancer due to complications from the disease. I will forever be concerned about the possible implications this may have for our children, grandchildren and future generations. Because I know the incidence rates of multiple myeloma within the African-American community, my wish for a cure goes beyond doing something in memory of my husband; it could be the difference maker for our family for years to come.”
Millennium’s involvement within this community has been ongoing and has identified outreach to the African-American community through its Patient Advocacy group. According to Kathy Gram, who is part of the company’s patient advocacy leadership, “We have African-American multiple myeloma patient ambassadors and caregivers tell their stories to the African-American community to offer hope, inspiration and the importance of clinical trial participation.
“The ambassadors also encourage MM patients to seek second opinions from an MM specialist and find a patient support group in their area. They are also reaching out to both the national office of minority health care and the state offices to identify channels for education and awareness.”
More Information Needed
Oncologists and other health care professionals involved in the treating of myeloma patients and those scientists challenged with developing future treatments—and possibly a cure—agree that there is a need for more information when it comes to understanding the impact of this disease on African-Americans.
There also remains a need for community education programs to educate this population about its risks for developing MM and the benefit of clinical trials so that they may better understand this new information and apply it to their lives.
For more information, visit www.mymultiplemyeloma.com.

(NAPSM)—Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—some 2.5 million occur a year—but knowing a few facts can help protect yourself and your family.
Silent But Deadly
A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. One of the most serious problems is what’s known as “talk and die syndrome.” The head injury sufferer is able to walk, talk and behave “normally” immediately after, and everyone thinks he or she is just fine. Then, hours later, headaches and irritability develop and the victim succumbs to the injury.
What To Do
That’s why it’s wise to err on the side of caution and get medical help immediately when a head injury may be involved. In addition, all concussion victims should take a complete break from cognitive as well as physical activity for the first three to five days, then try some light cognitive tasks and see how it goes. If headaches or dizziness come back, it’s not time to resume activity. Stay vigilant and promptly seek medical attention if headaches reappear. The headaches may indicate a brain injury but no one may have been thinking about a brain injury when the event occurred. Some head injury symptoms don’t show up until the person starts resuming everyday life and its demands.
What Causes TBI
Falls are the leading reason people have head injuries but they can also be due to slow-speed car accidents and sports injuries, particularly bicycling. The severity may range from “mild,” brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia.
Who Gets Hurt
Men are more likely to have TBI hospitalizations than women, and children under 4 and adults over 65 are more likely than others to be hospitalized. African Americans have a higher death rate from brain injury than any other ethnic group; 25 percent higher than for the overall population.
Signs and Symptoms
Most people understand headaches follow concussions, often starting immediately after the blow to the head occurs. What many do not realize, however, is that these headaches can become permanent and life threatening and may not occur immediately but long after a seemingly innocuous incident.
Learn More
For further facts on handling brain injuries including whether you might need a lawyer, get a free guide at http://accidentattorneys.org.

Inaugural John Ed and Odessa Williams Endowment Lecture brings diabetes expert to campus

MEMPHIS, Tenn.(BlackNews.com) — The first John Ed and Odessa Williams Endowment in Community Diabetes Lectureship brought diabetes expert James Gavin III, MD, to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) campus as the keynote speaker.
The lectureship was established by sisters Willie M. Williams Crittendon, PhD, an educator; Ethelyn Williams-Neal, MD, a pediatrician and clinical assistant professor at UTHSC; and Beverly Williams-Cleaves, MD, an internist/endocrinologist and clinical associate professor at UTHSC, in memory of their parents, John Ed and Odessa Williams.
The endowment was developed to encourage greater diversity in support of UTHSC, to highlight the importance of excellent community care for those with diabetes, and to provide ancillary financial support for minority medical students at UTHSC.
“We were excited to have the opportunity to launch this inaugural lectureship,” Dr. Williams-Cleaves said. “Diabetes and community health are topics that are very dear to our hearts.”
As part of the two-day event at UTHSC, Dr. Gavin, clinical professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, gave a lecture for physicians, residents and medical students; consulted with endocrinology fellows; and spoke to the Bluff City Medical Society, which was founded by a group of African-American physicians to promote wellness and decrease health disparities in the African-American community. Dr. Gavin is past president of the American Diabetes Association and immediate past chairman of the National Diabetes Education Program.
“We were extremely pleased and honored to have Dr. James Gavin as our inaugural speaker,” Dr. Williams-Cleaves said. “He brought great stature to this event.”