Epidemiology in African Americans
Certain characteristics put some people at higher risk for multiple myeloma.
African Americans are often diagnosed at a younger age than White Americans.3
Since younger African American patients have a higher incidence of MGUS, a precursor to multiple myeloma, the chances of developing the disease are increased for this population.2* African Americans are 2 to 3 times more likely to have MGUS compared to White patients,† and are nearly 2 times more likely to progress to multiple myeloma.5,6‡§
Note: According to a retrospective, population-based, cohort study, investigating obesity and the risk of progressing from MGUS to multiple myeloma.
- Prevalence rates are age-adjusted.
- According to data obtained from a population of US veterans hospitalized between 1980-1996 and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 1999-2004.
- Using multivariable analysis of 7878 patients diagnosed with MGUS in a US Veterans Health Administration database between 1999-2009.6
- A younger diagnosis of MGUS increases chances of developing multiple myeloma.
MGUS=Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
References: 1. PDQ® Adult Treatment Editorial Board. PDQ Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma) Treatment. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Updated July 6, 2021. https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloma/patient/myeloma-treatment-pdq. Accessed October 3, 2021. 2. Marinac CR, et al. Blood Cancer J. 2020;10:19. 3. SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/mulmy.html. Accessed October 18, 2021. 4. Kumar S, et.al. Multiple Myeloma Awareness and African American Disparities. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/crchd/blog/2017/multiple-myeloma-disparities. Accessed October 18, 2021. 5. Pierre A, et al. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2020;24(4):439-443. 6. Chang S, et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2017;109(5):djw264. 7. Badar T, et al. Cancer. 2020;127(1):82-92. 8. Sonneveld P, et al. Blood. 2016;127(24):2955-2962. 9. Kazandjian D, et al. Blood Cancer J. 2019;9(2):15. 10. Fillmore N, et al. Blood Adv. 2021;5(18):3511-3514.