CANCER INSIGHT: MYELOMA
Myeloma has a higher rate of effecting Black people (African decent) more than any other ethnic group.
Since cancer diagnosis rates have been on a steady rise, (1.9 million increase rate from 2021 to 2023 in America) it is imperative to open discussion on cancer. It is catastrophic, complicated and many say incurable, but is that truly the case? In this week’s consumption blog, we will take a closer look at a type of cancer called Myeloma. We hope to provide some insight on what it is, what causes it, and what can reduce symptoms and progression through holistic approaches. Let’s dig in.
What is Myeloma?
This type of cancer attacks the blood, specifically plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells that protect our body against infections by producing antibodies. Myeloma causes an overgrowth of cancer cells is bone marrow and creates protein cells that don’t function properly, so the body cannot use them. The cancer cells created by the Myeloma regenerate rapidly and unlike normal plasma cells, they don’t die off at a normal life cycle. The overaccumulation of Myeloma cells can cause tiredness and the inability to fight off infection. The effects of Myeloma can vary depending on how quickly the Myeloma cells regenerate. As previously stated, because Myeloma is an attack on the plasma cells (that produce antibodies) this illness can make the body more susceptible to infections since antibodies are a part of the body’s defense system. Myeloma can also cause issues in the bones because of the reduction of healthy bone marrow cells. It can also cause issues for the kidneys, because of the increased proteins in the body created by the Myeloma cells that the body can’t use, this gets filtered by the kidneys, but overproduction of proteins can exhaust the kidneys.
What causes Myeloma?
Many science-based sources state there is currently no known cure to this blood cancer. Now, there is a bread crumb trail of risk factors that can help shed some light to why this illness occurs.
Age: As majority of people age, the increase of gene mutations in the cells can accumulate. Especially when there aren’t intentional actions (such as cleanses, fasting, eating majority whole foods) that can potentially clean out the cells that have been mutated over time. Sources also state that the risk of a person developing cell disorders (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance MGUS and “smoldering myeloma”)
Ethnicity/Family History: Black people, specifically people with African ancestry are more likely to be diagnosed with multiple myeloma. According to a study conducted with Mayo Clinic, it was discovered that people with African heritage have genetic abnormalities that make them at a higher risk for myeloma.
t(11;14) and t(14;16): These translocations are more frequently observed in Black patients with myeloma compared to those of European ancestry.
MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance): A precursor condition to myeloma, where abnormal plasma cells are present in the bone marrow, is more common in the Black community.
Unquantifiable Immunoglobulins: Black MGUS patients have higher rates of unquantifiable immunoglobulins.
Anemia and LDH levels: Black patients with myeloma tend to present with more anemia and higher serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels.
Research has shown that diagnosis of myeloma is increased when another family member has it as well.
Unhealthy habits and Disparities: Obesity is a common comorbidity that elevates the of developing myeloma by 73% compared to people considered to be within their BMI. Habits like smoking also increases the risk of developing the precursor to myeloma. Compared to non-smokers, smokers are 2.11 times more likely to develop the disease. Lack of sleep, less than 6 hours, has also been shown to be a factor that increase the chance of developing myeloma. Regarding disparities, this is prevalent in patients with African heritage. There is currently low research specific to Black people (not just American, globally) which causes misrepresentation in cancer statistics. Black people are also less likely to be inform and have access to new age treatments. Black people are also less likely to have access to health care or have the economic means to obtain and sustain healthier habits in general.
Life after diagnosis?
Survival Rate
Research shows that when caught early, the average survival rate for myeloma, when caught early, is 80.3% (5-year relative survival rate). The survival rate varies on whether the cancer has metastasized (spread throughout the body) and an individual patient’s response to treatment. When the cancer has spread, survival rate has shown to be about 57%.
Effects of the disease
As stated previously, myeloma is a cancer the attacks the bone marrow so many people experience persistent bone/joint pain in the back or hips and are more susceptible to infections because the disease’s rewiring to the plasma cells. People with this cancer can also become vulnerable to a second type of cancer. There have been other reports of patients also experiencing shortness of breath, nervous system disorders and emotional distress.
Treatment
The westernize approach to treatment for this disease begins with a 3-drug regimen to destroy the myeloma cells. Also known as “triplet therapy”, this regimen usually consists of an immunomodulatory drug (modifies the immune system based on the disease), a proteasome inhibitor drug (disrupts the growth of proteins caused by the myeloma cells) and a steroid (can aid with reducing inflammation). This treatment prepares eligible patients for a stem cell rescue, which restores the body of good healthy cells after chemotherapy. The intent of this treatment is to perform a bone marrow transplant with the patient’s own healthy cells by extracting them, harvesting them, performing chemotherapy, and then reconstituting the healthy cells back to the body. Positive response to treatment increases survival rate to this disease.
Holistic Approach to treatment
Sources state that natural supplementation, whole food diet and exercise can aid with the regression of the disease. There are also numerous herbs that can help reduce inflammation and bone pain from the disease which can help make life close to normal for most patients. Although it cannot be definitively state, one can strongly conclude that continuous consumption of these herbs can help fight this disease altogether, amongst other holistic approaches.
Turmeric: A common household root with powerful benefits like curcumin which can effectively reduce the size of present tumors in the body.
Astragalus: This ancient herb is commonly used with Chinese medicine treatment and can help restore white blood cells deformed by myeloma. This herb can be found at a local supplement or vitamin shop.
Goldenseal and Echinacea: These herbs are commonly used to boost the immune system to fight infections. This is extremely vital as myeloma patients are more vulnerable to infections. These herbs can be taken as highly concentrated tinctures or as tea and can be found in local grocery stores.
Cayenne: This powerful pepper is a blood cleanser by its active ingredient capsaicin. It helps detoxify the blood and restore blood vessels. This can also aid the effectiveness of prescribed western medications.
Burdock root: This is another blood cleanser that specifically targets the lymphatic system. Since myeloma can be technically caused by cells that degenerated over time, burdock root cleanses and restores cells back to a healthy state. This root could potentially reduce the progression of the disease. This root helps to destroy a “cancer thriving” environment in the body. This can be made into a tea from the raw root or a tincture and can be found online or a natural health food store.
Enzyme Therapy: This is another holistic approach separate from taking herbs. This treatment was pioneered by Dr. Loomis and applied by Dr. Lita Lee in her book called The Enzyme Cure: Alternative Medicine. In this book she shared success testimonies in treating cancers through enzyme therapy, which are proteins that body uses to absorb and use nutrients in the food for proper total body healing and functioning. Dr. Loomis has created enzyme supplements specifically formulated to restore the body’s natural state of proper digestion and absorption. They state that majority of diseases, including cancer, are caused by food intolerance which are triggered by undigested foods causing chaos in the body. She advises that free radicals (toxic molecules inside of cells) can destroy healthy cells and their presence in the body can be exasperated by poor nutrition. This approach to treatment requires total body examination to understand why they body has entered this state of manifested disease. We encourage you to purchase this book to learn more about this treatment and the testimonials.
Is this disease preventable?
While many science-based sources state this disease can’t be prevented, if you understand how cancer forms, you can have an advantage at possibly avoiding this disease. Cancer needs an environment to grow and that begins with degenerated and rouge cells. Eating processed junk foods, regular intake of high gluten foods and refined sugar diets causes the cells to be destroyed overtime or begin to become reformed and no longer conducting the tasks that the body needs for healing. By incorporating fasting or cleanses, this can help the body detoxify those rouge and unusable cells and triggers the body to reset and form new and improved cells. Water fasts and juice cleanses for 1 to 3 days are powerful to incorporate at least once every 3 to 6 months. Along with that, incorporate regular exercise that increases the heart rate. This allows the body to use stored glucose as energy and burns stored fat that could become a potential environment for cancer to form. Talk to you doctor about safe ways to do colon cleanses, as the gut is the true control center of the body, and also do your research on how to incorporate the herbs we mentioned above. While many may say the disease isn’t preventable, it cannot be discounted that by implementing these actions can cause the chances of getting this disease to be highly reduced.
This was a mouthful of knowledge, and we haven’t even scratched the surface on this cancer. This consumption blog is to serve as a tool to initiate further research on what we have discussed and to help you become an advocate for yourself or a loved one that may be diagnosed with this disease or any other form of cancer. Our brief insight is not intended to overwhelm but instead inspire our community to become more conscious, prudent, and preventative the best we possibly can.
Citations
Lee, Lita. The Enzyme Cure. edited by Burton Goldeberg, Alternative Medicine Guide ed. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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McNulty, Maureen, and Richard LoCicero. “Why Does the Risk for Multiple Myeloma Increase with Age?” Mymyelomateam.com, MyMyelomaTeam, 13 Apr. 2022, www.mymyelomateam.com/resources/why-does-the-risk-for-multiple-myeloma-increase-with-age.
“Gene Abnormalities Contributing to Higher Prevalence of Myeloma in People with African Heritage.” Myeloma UK, 19 Oct. 2023, www.myeloma.org.uk/news/gene-abnormalities-contributing-to-higher-prevalence-of-myeloma-in-people-with-african-heritage/
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Burton-Bethke, Audrey. “MC Community Event: How Multiple Myeloma Affects the Black Community with Dr. Craig Cole.” Healthtree.org, HealthTree for Multiple Myeloma, 12 May 2021, healthtree.org/myeloma/community/articles/mc-community-event-how-multiple-myeloma-affects-the-black-community-with-dr-craig-cole. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
National Cancer Institute. “Myeloma - Cancer Stat Facts.” SEER, 2024, seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/mulmy.html.
“Understand How Multiple Myeloma Is Staged and Graded.” Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 5 Oct. 2018, www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma/stages.
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“Multiple Myeloma Patients Can Lead Full, Happy Lives.” Medstarhealth.org, 2021, www.medstarhealth.org/blog/multiple-myeloma-symptoms-and-treatment.
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