Filipinos with multiple myeloma deserve a more holistic healthcare system

Every year, an estimated 932 Filipinos are diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood that develops in plasma cells found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies that help the body fight infection.

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While multiple myeloma is not among the most common cancers in the Philippines, it is the second most prevalent blood cancer among Filipinos and imposes a heavy socioeconomic burden on patients and their families.

The exact cause of multiple myeloma remains unknown. However, research has shown that the disease is driven by genetic mutations that vary from person to person and often develop spontaneously with age. It is not considered hereditary and occurs more frequently in men. Common symptoms include persistent back pain, fatigue, anemia, recurrent infections, excessive thirst and urination, bone fractures, confusion, and numbness. More than half of patients are diagnosed at age 65 or older.

For Filipinos living with multiple myeloma, the burden of disease extends far beyond medical treatment. According to Del Villanueva, a member of the Myeloma Support for Patient Empowerment Access and Knowledge (MyeSPEAK) Philippines Working Group, patients face layered and daunting challenges that demand a more holistic and compassionate approach to care. She spoke during the recently held 2 Multiple Myeloma Lay Forum in Manila, themed "Multiple Myeloma: Kayang-Kaya Natin!," which aimed to raise awareness, empower patients and families, and mobilize collective advocacy for better care.

Ms. Villanueva noted that diagnosing multiple myeloma is often confusing, prolonged, and costly. Its symptoms are frequently mistaken for more common conditions, and a definitive diagnosis requires multiple laboratory and imaging tests. Many of these specialized diagnostics are available only in Metro Manila. As a result, patients are often diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, when treatment options are more limited and survival outcomes are poorer.