MOST PEOPLE HAVE never heard of myeloma. For patients, that lack of awareness can cost precious time.

Myeloma is a blood cancer where the plasma cells in the body’s bone marrow become abnormal. They begin to multiply uncontrollably and produce a useless antibody called paraprotein (M protein), which is used to diagnose and monitor the disease.

Unlike most cancers, it doesn’t form a lump or tumour. Rather, abnormal cells build up in the bone marrow across multiple sites in the body (hence ‘multiple’ myeloma), including the spine, skull, pelvis and ribs.

Myeloma follows a relapsing-remitting pattern, meaning periods of active disease requiring treatment alternate with periods of remission where no treatment is needed.

This disease begins with ordinary symptoms. Back pain that feels like wear and tear. Fatigue that is often put down to age or stress. Repeated infections that seem like bad luck. Individually, these look common. Together, they can tell a very different story. The purpose of awareness of these symptoms is not to frighten people. It is to help them ask better questions earlier and to help the frontline health workers they turn to first consider whether a straightforward blood test might be warranted.

If someone has persistent or unexplained symptoms such as ongoing bone or back pain, unusual tiredness, repeated infections, unexplained anaemia, kidney problems or fractures that happen too easily, they........

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