BDO: What are potential side effects I need to know about during and after multiple myeloma treatments?
Dr. Gaskins: Side effects related to the treatment may include nausea, vomiting, peripheral neuropathy (numbness in the fingers and toes), low white blood cell count, low platelets, weakness and fatigue. After successful treatment all of these side effects should resolve or be significantly reduced.
BDO: What are the success rates after treatment?
Dr. Gaskins: Survival rates for multiple myeloma have been steadily increasing over the past decade and a half. This is correlated with the many new treatments that have been developed.
BDO: What kind of advice can I give to someone with multiple myeloma to encourage them to make life changes that will make managing the disease better?
Dr. Gaskins: If you have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma the most important thing is to follow your prescribed treatment regimen. Clearly the treatments have changed our thinking of multiple myeloma. 15 years ago the overall survival from multiple myeloma was about 3 years. With modern approaches to the treatment of multiple myeloma we now have reason to believe that we may be approaching a cure.
BDO: What can I do to make sure I don’t get multiple myeloma?
Dr. Gaskins: It is difficult to say what to do to prevent multiple myeloma. This is especially true in view of the fact that we are not absolutely sure what causes multiple myeloma. The best thing to do is to do the same thing that you would do to lower your risk for all cancers. This includes a healthy diet (low in fat, low in processed sugars) and moderate exercise at least 3 days a week.