MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Grant Support: National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities , NIH (# P20MD002286).

Francis Callwood BA

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

• QUESTION:– What are the experiences of persons

diagnosed with multiple myeloma?

• PURPOSE:– to document the lived experiences of Virgin

Islanders who have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

• Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most prevalent blood cancer after non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

• Represents approximately 1% of all cancers in whites and 2% of cancers in blacks

• Estimated about 20,580 new cases of multiple myeloma would be diagnosed during 2009 (American Cancer Society)

WHY STUDY MULTIPLE MYELOMA?

• Personal experience • Number of cases in small community• Curiosity as to how persons managed and

coped

RESEARCH PLAN

• Qualitative methods • Purposive sampling

– A minimum of ten subjects– Adult male or female Virgin Islanders who

have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and their significant others

– Informed consent

• Recruitment methodology

RESEARCH PROCESS

• Interviews• Recording

– Audio– Video

INTERVIEW GUIDE

• Diagnosis • Treatment • Recuperation• Safety network/social support • Reflection

DATA ANALYSIS

• Review of transcripts

– Identify recurring themes and commonalities in experiences using qualitative analysis software

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Publication in professional journal

• Documentary

REFERENCES

• American Cancer Society. (2010) retrieved on January 25, 2010 From http://www.cancer.org

• Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. (2010). Retrieved on January 19, 2010 From http://www.themmrf.org/living-with-multiple-myeloma/newly-diagnosed-patients/what-is-multiple-myeloma/causes-and-incidence.html

• Dahan, J.F., Auerbach, C.F. (2006). A qualitative study of the trauma and posttraumatic growth of multiple myeloma patients treated with peripheral blood stem cell transplant. Palliative Support Care, 4(4), 365-387.