Introduction and Overview
Multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer affecting plasma cells in bone marrow, is described as a catastrophic disease that necessitates collaboration among public and private healthcare systems, governments, insurance companies, and the pharmaceutical industry to facilitate access to innovative therapies that can increase survival rates, according to medical experts and civil society representatives.
Statistics and Impact in Mexico
In Mexico, an average of 31 multiple myeloma cases are treated daily, with 2,346 new cases and 1,507 deaths reported in 2022, according to the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).
Gender Disparity
Multiple myeloma predominantly affects men, as per Globocan, an international platform for cancer data and statistics.
Experts’ Perspectives
Alín Ramírez Alvarado, M.D., head of the Multiple Myeloma Clinic at Centro México Nacional La Raza, emphasizes the importance of focusing on patient improvement and hope for a return to productive life rather than solely on treatment costs.
María Victoria Mateos, head of the Multiple Myeloma Unit at Hospital Universitario de Salamanca in Spain, highlights the significance of agreements between pharmaceutical companies and governments in ensuring access to innovative therapies, which varies across countries.
Paulina Rosales, director of Unidos Pro Trasplante de Médula Ósea Francisco Casares Cortina, stresses the differences in treatment access between those with private medical insurance and those treated in non-security social institutions.
Barriers to Innovative Treatment Access
Experts agree that, despite advancements in treatments, multiple myeloma patients still face barriers such as delayed diagnoses (often taking over 12 months to receive treatment) and consulting multiple specialists before being referred to a hematologist.
Additional barriers include insufficient medical and public education about the disease, unequal access to innovative treatments, high out-of-pocket expenses, and the impact on families and society.
Changing Treatment Paradigms
Alín Ramírez Alvarado explains that the treatment paradigm for multiple myeloma patients has drastically changed in recent years, focusing on treatments with the best prognosis rather than merely tolerable options.
Innovative therapies like immunotherapy and CAR-T cell treatments have increased patient survival expectations, making it crucial to ensure their accessibility.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What are the main challenges faced by multiple myeloma patients? A: Patients encounter delayed diagnoses, consult multiple specialists before seeing a hematologist, and face insufficient medical education and unequal access to innovative treatments.
- Q: How can access to innovative therapies be improved? A: Collaboration between hematologists, working groups, and pharmaceutical companies is essential to bring clinical trials to the country, enabling faster access to innovative therapies for patients.
- Q: What role do insurance companies play in treatment accessibility? A: Insurance companies sometimes delay approval of medications, making it crucial for medical professionals to demonstrate patient needs to both public and private institutions.
- Q: What is the significance of early diagnosis in multiple myeloma? A: Early detection is vital to prevent severe symptoms, kidney damage, fractures, and other complications that can lead to immobility.
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer affecting plasma cells responsible for producing antibodies. Although the exact cause remains unknown, risk factors include family history, age over 60, obesity, and being male.
Early stages may show no symptoms, but over time it can cause anemia, infections, kidney damage, high blood calcium levels, bone pain (especially in the spine, chest, and hips), as well as nausea, constipation, loss of appetite and weight, confusion, fatigue, excessive thirst, and frequent urination.
