A recent study has revealed that life expectancy for people with a rare, untreatable blood cancer has almost doubled over the past 20 years.
The study, led by the University of York and funded by Cancer Research UK and Blood Cancer UK, analysed records from more than 3,700 people in England diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 2005 and 2019.
Findings, published in Haematologica, show that advances in treatment are giving patients considerably longer survival than in the early 2000s.
Multiple myeloma develops when abnormal plasma cells form in the bone marrow. It cannot be cured, but treatments can control the disease. Symptoms often include bone pain, fatigue, headaches, muscle weakness and breathlessness.
Researchers described the rise in survival rates as “impressive”, noting that patients outside clinical trials are also seeing the benefits of new therapies. However, they cautioned that the overall outlook remains poor compared with other cancers.
Professor Alexandra Smith, lead author and cancer epidemiologist at York, said: “Thanks to research, someone diagnosed with myeloma now has far better prospects than they would have two decades ago. New treatments are kinder, less toxic, and more effective, allowing every patient – including the most vulnerable – to benefit. But we can’t stop here. Survival for myeloma remains devastatingly low – which is why continued research into new ways to treat the disease, and diagnose it sooner, is so vital.”
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Around 6,200 people are diagnosed with myeloma in the UK every year — roughly 17 every day.
The latest findings showed particularly strong gains among older patients. The number of people aged 80 and over surviving five years or more has increased five-fold since 2005, a change thought to be linked to better tolerated therapies in this age group.
Experts said the results highlight the need to ensure older and frailer patients are not excluded from clinical trials.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “Every improvement in cancer survival represents invaluable time for patients to spend with the people they love. This progress is testament to the hard work of both scientists and NHS staff, showing the importance of putting research at the front and centre of our health service.
The forthcoming National Cancer Plan for England should prioritise giving clinicians the capacity to conduct additional life-saving clinical trials, while also accelerating access to promising new treatments for patients.
Dr Richard Francis, deputy director of research at Blood Cancer UK, added: “Blood cancer is the UK’s third biggest cancer killer and too many people with myeloma still die far too soon.
“Clinical trials offer real hope, but too often blood cancer patients struggle to access them. We urgently need a system that makes it easier for people with blood cancer from all backgrounds to take part, alongside increased investment in myeloma clinical trials.”
