Patients battling a form of blood cancer have been handed new hope after a life-extending drug was made available on the NHS. This is a really big deal and is a fantastic announcement for the treatment of Myeloma patients.

Around 5,800 Brits are diagnosed with multiple myeloma every year. While some survive for several years, most cases can’t be cured.

Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a type of bone marrow cancer. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue at the centre of some bones that produces the body’s blood cells.

It’s called multiple myeloma as the cancer often affects several areas of the body, such as the spine, skull, pelvis and ribs.

In the early stages, myeloma may not cause any symptoms. It’s often only suspected or diagnosed after a routine blood or urine test. Eventually, it causes a wide range of problems, including:

• a persistent dull ache or areas of tenderness in your bones
• weak bones that break (fracture) easily
• tiredness, weakness and shortness of breath – caused by anaemia
• repeated infections
• kidney problems
• less commonly, bruising and unusual bleeding – such as frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums and heavy periods

Myeloma doesn’t usually cause a lump or tumour. Instead, it damages the bones and affects the production of healthy blood cells. To find out more about the symptoms, go HERE.

Trials showed a drug, lenalidomide, almost doubled the length of time patients spent in remission – helping to “keep the cancer at bay”.

We spoke to Graham Jackson, Professor of Clinical Haematology at the Northern Centre fo Cancer Care, and Sarah Williams, a patient who has been on the clinical trial for the drug.

As Graham mentions during our interview, MYELOMA UK is the place to go for more information. They are the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with myeloma. Their ultimate goal is to find a cure.

They are dedicated to myeloma patients – making sure they get access to the right treatment at the right time. They continually strive to improve standards of treatment and care through research, education and raising awareness of myeloma.

They receive no Government funding and rely almost entirely on voluntary donations and fundraising. In short, they couldn’t do what they do without your support.

If you’d like to find out more about them, and see the support they offer to patients, go to their site here, MYELOMA UK