Who Gets Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is the second most commonly diagnosed type of blood cancer, but it remains relatively rare, accounting for less than 1% of all cancer diagnoses worldwide.

Cases of multiple myeloma have increased significantly in recent decades, especially in regions like the United States, Australia, Western Europe, and Canada. U.S. diagnoses alone have risen by 143% since 1975.

Thanks to better treatments and understanding of the disease, survival rates for multiple myeloma have improved over the decades. The five-year relative survival rate is now nearly 58%, a significant improvement from 23.7% in 1976.

Although you’re more likely to get it if a family member also has it, there’s not much evidence to suggest it’s inherited. Those who are most at risk include older people, men, and Black Americans.

Only 4% of people are diagnosed at an early stage of myeloma. The rest are diagnosed after the cancer has spread to distant parts of their bodies. Doctors generally call myeloma “multiple myeloma” because 90% of those diagnosed with it have more than one bone lesion (damaged area on the bone).

Survival rates are an inexact tool. Individual survival rates vary depending on several things, including your age, your stage at diagnosis and how much the cancer has spread, and your overall health.