New multiple myeloma projections highlight urgent need for cancer care reform and targeted research investment.
New research led by the Daffodil Centre has unveiled long-term projections for multiple myeloma incidence, mortality and prevalence in Australia to 2043.
The landmark study published in the Medical Journal of Australia and led by Dr Qingwei Luo and Associate Professor Eleonora Feletto, predicts that almost 80,000 Australians will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 2019 and 2043 – a 14.9% increase in incidence rates from 2018 to 2043.
The study projected that more than 28,000 Australians would die from multiple myeloma over the 25-year period based on current trends, unless there are further breakthroughs in prevention, early detection and treatment for the disease. Improved survival also means that thousands more Australians with multiple myeloma will be living long-term, requiring continuing care and support.
Associate Professor Feletto said that although mortality rates were projected to fall by around 27.5% multiple myeloma remains a complex cancer to treat and little is known about preventing the disease and identifying people at increased risk.
“The risk of multiple myeloma increases significantly with older age, and Australia’s population is ageing, which would explain part of the gradual increase in number of new diagnoses over time,” Associate Professor Feletto said.
“Although the causes of multiple myeloma are not completely understood, there are some known risk factors, such as family history, radiation exposure and excess body fatness. Improved pathology and data collection may also be contributing to the increase, with some cancers now recorded as multiple myeloma that would have previously been missed.”
Multiple myeloma is one of the costliest cancers to treat in relation to incidence numbers, due to the complexity and interaction of multiple treatment regimens, and associated patient care needs, often over several years.
Although research investment in multiple myeloma treatment has increased in recent years, a recent government audit showed that there was very little funding for studies on multiple myeloma prevention and early detection over the past decade.
Director of Cancer Prevention and Advocacy at Cancer Council NSW, Anita Dessaix, said multiple myeloma was a case study for what needs to be achieved in NSW and Australia-wide to reduce cancer mortality and inequity and improve survival.
“We have opportunities, with the Australian Cancer Plan, the NSW Cancer Plan and the current NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into Health Services to strengthen cancer services and make sure people get the best quality care, regardless of where they live.
“For example, governments across Australia need to work together to review and update clinical guidelines and Optimal Care Pathways for multiple myeloma and publicly report on whether services are delivered against benchmarks of quality care.”
“The system needs to evolve to meet future needs, in a systematic way, and to support the prioritisation of research funding to look for ways to intervene earlier to reduce the burden of poorly understood cancers like multiple myeloma.”
Read the research
