A recent study reveals ongoing racial disparities in the treatment and survival rates of seniors with multiple myeloma (MM), a type of blood cancer primarily affecting older adults. Conducted by Rong Wang, Ph.D., a senior research scientist in epidemiology at Yale School of Medicine, and colleagues, the research analyzed Medicare records of patients aged 66 and older diagnosed with MM between 2007 and 2017. The findings, published in Cancer Medicine, indicate that non-Hispanic African Americans are less likely to receive treatment within the first year of diagnosis compared to their White counterparts. However, untreated African American patients showed lower mortality rates, a disparity that disappears among those who receive treatment, as both African American and White patients had similar survival rates when treated. The study underscores the need for earlier treatment initiation to reduce mortality risks and highlights the persistent racial differences in healthcare access and outcomes[1].
This study adds to a growing body of research indicating racial and ethnic disparities in MM treatment and outcomes. For instance, Black and Hispanic patients are notably underrepresented in clinical trials for MM drug approvals in the United States, which may contribute to the observed disparities in survival and treatment efficacy[2]. Furthermore, analyses by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation have found inconclusive results regarding racial differences in treatment outcomes, suggesting the need for more targeted research to understand and address these disparities[3]. Disparities in MM incidence and survival rates have been well-documented, with Blacks facing a twofold increased risk of MM and higher mortality rates compared to Whites, underscoring the multifactorial nature of these disparities, including differences in risk factors, biology, and access to care[4][5].
The persistence of racial disparities in the treatment and survival of MM among seniors highlights a critical area for healthcare improvement, emphasizing the importance of equitable treatment access and the need for research focused on understanding and mitigating these disparities.
See “New Study Shows Racial Disparities in Treatment and Survival Among Seniors with Multiple Myeloma” by Pastricia Weiser on the Managed Healthcare Executive website (February 7, 2024)
