An average of 9.7 Canadians are diagnosed every day with multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow.
According to Myeloma Canada (www.myeloma.ca), a support group network for people affected by the disease, multiple myeloma is the second most common form of blood cancer in Canada. In Saskatchewan, the incidence rate is 9.7 new cases per 100,000 men, and 5.5 new cases per 100,000 women.
March has been declared Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month by the Government of Saskatchewan.
On Wednesday, March 9, Prince Albert Northcote MLA Alana Ross spoke in the Legislative chamber on the issue,
saying it is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms are often vague.
She said increasing awareness will help stimulate funding for critical research and development of new treatments and therapies until a cure is found.
In her remarks to the Legislative Assembly, Ross introduced Trevor Ives of Prince Albert, who was present in the Legislative Visitors Gallery. Ives is the CEO of the Peter Ballantyne Band Group of Companies; he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma when he was 53 years old. Ross said Ives underwent multiple tests, a full-body x-ray and bone marrow biopsy before he was conclusively diagnosed. He then had 16 weeks of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.
“Trevor was recently selected to join the team of doctors and staff of Myeloma Canada, where he hopes to have an opportunity to support others with this incurable disease,” said Ross. “Trevor would like to express his gratitude to the doctors and staff at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre, to his family for their support, and to the Minister of Health for proclaiming March as Myeloma Awareness Month in Saskatchewan. He hopes that recognition of this disease will help early diagnosis and treatment for others.”
EARLY DIAGNOSIS Because most symptoms of multiple myeloma may not show up until the late stages of the disease, early diagnosis and treatment are essential, said Wendy Wolitski, a Warman resident who has been living with myeloma since 2017.
“It’s important for people to be aware of the possible symptoms of myeloma so it can be caught early,” said Wolitski. “Fortunately, mine was diagnosed in the early stages.
“I didn’t have any calcium deficiencies or anemia.
“Many people aren’t diagnosed until they fracture a wrist or something, and then when they go for an x-ray, they discover it’s blood cancer.
“I’m a nurse and I was aware of myeloma but didn’t really hear much about it. Now I live with it every day.”
Wolitski said reliable information is available through the Myeloma Canada website and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
SUDDEN COLLAPSE
Carl Lessard of Warman, a former professor and researcher at the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in early 2020.
“For me it was pretty sudden,” said Lessard. “During a work-related meeting in Ontario, I passed out and collapsed. I woke up eight days later at the Intensive Care Unit in Windsor Hospital, with my wife by my side. She was telling me I had this caner, but it took two months for me to realize it. That’s how bad a shape I was in.
“During those eight days they put me into an induced coma to stabilize my internal organs.”
Lessard said in hindsight, he probably had the disease for years. There were telltale symptoms he did not pay enough attention to, including fatigue and anemia.
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I was a workaholic, and I didn’t listen to my body,” he said. “In the end I paid the price, and I’m still paying the price.”
Lessard said after some initial treatments in Ontario in the weeks following his collapse, he was able to return to Saskatchewan, where he underwent extensive chemotherapy, kidney dialysis and a stem cell transplant, all while re-learning how to walk over a period of two years.
Lessard said he and his wife received “fantastic support from the Warman community and his wife’s co-worker while he was recovering in Ontario.
“Our neighbours gathered money and purchased food to support my wife and kids during this tough period,” he said. “Also, my wife’s co-workers gathered money and purchased toys for our kids while my wife and I were at Windsor’s hospital.
“These community initiatives were greatly appreciated during that difficult time for our family.”
Lessard’s health has now returned to the point where he is able to return to work, but he said the university has been less than accommodating.
“I used to be a professor at the university, but the college where I was did not renew my status,” he said. “I’m still the same guy I was, and I can still do the work, and I want to get on with my life, but it is hard when there is minimal support from the employer.”
Lessard urged employers to help accommodate those living with the disease.
CAUSES OF MYELOMA
Myeloma, because it affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, can originate in multiple places, including the spine, rib cage and pelvis. In myeloma, abnormal plasma cells interfere with the production of normal healthy blood cells; they also interfere in the production of antibodies by reducing the body’s ability to fight infections.
Myeloma can be caused by a decline in immune function, as well as genetic and environmental factors.
According to Myeloma Canada, symptoms of myeloma can include: pain, fatigue, anemia, recurrent infections and cold sores, loss of appetite, increased thirst, frequent urination, confusion and restlessness.
Myeloma Canada states that the disease can affect adults of all ages, but is more common in those over 50.
While the disease is incurable, a wide range of treatments can put it into remission for extended periods of time, and patients can live longer with a better quality of life, particularly with support from caregivers, family and friends.
Myeloma support networks are active across Canada. In Saskatchewan, there are two groups; one in Saskatoon (saskatoonsupport@myeloma.ca) and one in Regina (reginasupport@myeloma.ca).