Preventive Medicine and Multiple Myeloma Advocacy

I had the pleasure of attending this year’s ACPM (American College of Preventive Medicine) conference in Washington DC. In a nutshell, ACPM’s main mission is to modify the healthcare system to better the communities it serves. It was wonderful to listen and learn how resident doctors, as well as active doctors, presented factors when breaking down the urgency of preventive health and medicine.

So, what is preventive medicine? Well, when we look at the millions of people who are diagnosed with one condition or another, or some who may not be aware of an existing condition, it can be alarming. The idea that basic preventive 101 measures may and, in some cases do, steer away later stage diagnoses is a discussion.

Blood cancer treatment may cause other conditions

Though the conference was not set around the condition of multiple myeloma, it did set the stage for how some precursor conditions affect many people generally diagnosed with blood cancer, cancers, or other conditions.

I recall my first line of treatment included radiation of my chest sternum, and the conversation went like this: “So we need to treat this area with radiation, but the likelihood of you being diagnosed with heart disease in the future is likely” ...or something to that effect. They may have had something there, as I later became diagnosed with hypertension mainly because of a treatment drug taken years later. However, there’s still a mindfulness with my medical team of what past treatment led to proactive of the day.

Staying vigilant about preventing other illnesses

I say all of this to say there always seems to be something and for those with blood cancer specifically; We must stay vigilant in checking all things that may follow. Some of those on the checklist are preventive medicine measures. Do you ensure that all of your doctors are aligned in treating you with your condition? Do you seek specialists on your own accord just to stay proactive?

The engine of our health unfortunately is and will be a nonstop train from now on, so if you weren’t engaged in the little things like a high BP read, well now you may look at things a little differently when certain drugs now clinically put you in the prediabetic realm or something else.

Impacts are greater on people from underserved communities

I knew but learned more about how underserved communities stay stuck in striving to do what’s best for their health and following up when a condition has been diagnosed. Socioeconomic situations can affect a patient. It seems like a domino effect – point taken:

I heard how low employment, low paying jobs or zero jobs, and low education lead to the possibility of chronic conditions...in some cases morbidity and mortality.

Beginning to take disparities seriously

There are so many ways to dissect this but it was nice to see new residents trying to resolve the problem with simple resolutions and consistent interaction with communities. It was stated throughout the conference some doctors and colleagues miss the mark in operative strategies to ensure that their patients understand what they are faced with when their health is in jeopardy.

One study showed recent maternal mortality and the high incidence of hypertension for women of color. One area in Georgia took stats on the women in that region where the community of women was diagnosed with a chronic condition and the difference when a preventive measure of some form was done in managing their conditions.

Strategies that might be useful for MM patients

Some of the strategies used could be helpful in the multiple myeloma community – especially for Black patients of color who are twice as likely to develop multiple myeloma. The practice of educating the myeloma community with trained community health workers was highly effective. The community health leaders were the glue in one-to-one patient engagement and education. The idea of having the ear of people directly brings better results, as shown in this particular case.

Imagine extra reinforcement for community healthcare:

• Imagine providing feedback to a community leader who helps you reach your health goals along with your medical team.
• Imagine home visits checking on basic needs.
• Imagine being set up with a running log and consistent follow-up of your disease.
• Imagine a Community Health Leader who assists patients in day-to-day life management- exercise suggestions, and recipe ideas to accommodate change of taste due to meds.

I suppose in some facets some patients may have that but some don't, and as a community of all, we need to ensure everyone thrives.  We know people don’t have this luxury and fall into poor health decisions that are the opposite of preventive medicine.

The idea of preventing a problem or managing it early enough before it escalates to something serious is the goal. Lastly, as the brilliant Dr. Maya Angelou stated “Do the best you can until you know better”.

Glad to see that progress is starting

I learned a lot and it was nice to see the efforts that are being made to get everyone on track in taking care of our health. The pebbles in the way can be overwhelming however some patients are getting the messages, we just need these messages to hit all communities as I believe it would be beneficial in managing all conditions that may or may not come our way.

The time to fight is now, with integrity, grace, hope, and a smile…when you feel like it