TO be diagnosed with any kind of disease can be a really scary thing.
But when it is less common and something you likely haven’t heard of, it can make it all the more frightening.
Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that develops from plasma in the bone marrow, with symptoms including things like bone pain or fractures without injury, fatigue, kidney problems, and higher susceptibility to infections. The disease typically occurs in people over the age of 60, and is more common in men.
Myeloma Australia support nurse Rachel McCann is hoping to provide a safe space for people with the disease and their families by starting a myeloma support group in Swan Hill, with the first session held on Thursday.
“For people living with Myeloma, we’re just really trying to provide as much support as we can,” Ms McCann said.
“We’re trying to reach as many communities as we can and support as many people as we can and focus not just on metropolitan Melbourne but regional areas as well.”
According to Cancer Council, around 2423 Australians were diagnosed with the disease in 2021. While that number may seem like a large amount, in the grand scheme of things it is quite small. Ms McCann has seen firsthand how support groups can help people to realise that despite small diagnosis numbers, they are not going through it alone.
“It’s that resounding point of, ‘Oh, it was just so nice to be in a room and meet other people who are going through this and actually get it’,” Ms McCann said.
With the current five-year survival rate for myeloma at 51 per cent, Ms McCann believes the support group can be particularly beneficial for newly diagnosed people.
“Something really important that comes from the groups can be people who are newly diagnosed coming along and meeting someone who has had myeloma for 10 or more years,” Ms McCann said.
“It just provides a lot of emotional reassurance and help for them and their families, especially in that time of a new diagnosis when everything feels really uncertain.”
While a support group setting is not for everyone, Myeloma Australia also offers a telephone support line Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
“It can be really useful, especially if the support group sounds a bit overwhelming at the start for people,” Ms McCann said.
At this stage, the Swan Hill support group will be run every two months, with the next one set to be held in August. If you would like to get in contact, call the support line on 1800 693 566, or head to www.myeloma.org.au.
