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Cancers at a glance

Click the cancer types below to view the latest key facts on trends in new cases, deaths and survival in NSW.

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Cancer in NSW: Incidence and Mortality 2008

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Multiple myeloma

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Multiple myeloma accounts for 1.1 per cent of all new cancer in NSW and 2 per cent of cancer deaths.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 237 6.6 icon-trend-static.png 163 3.8 icon-trend-static.png 400 5.1
Deaths 145 4.1 icon-trend-static.png 116 2.6 positive trend downwards 14.2 261 3.3
Relative survival
(5 year)		 43% icon-trend-static.png 3% 45% icon-trend-static.png 10% -

icon-trend-static.png No statistically significant change.

  • Multiple myeloma is the 22nd most common cancer and the 19th most common cause of cancer death in NSW.
  • One in 110 males and one in 209 females will develop multiple myeloma by the age of 85.

Cases refers to the number of people with the disease; Rate means cases per 100,000 people (age standardised); Trend means the change in the rate over 10 years.

Historical trends

New cases

Age-standardised incidence, NSW

myeloma-incidence.png

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

myeloma-mortality.png

 

Risk factors

  • Multiple myeloma is rarely diagnosed in people under the age of 40 years.
  • Exposure to ionising radiation is the strongest single risk factor.
  • Exposures to metals, especially nickel, agricultural chemicals, benzene and petroleum products, other aromatic hydrocarbons, silicon and various industrial dusts may also be a risk.
  • First-degree relatives of patients with multiple myeloma are also at greater risk.
  • Chromosomal abnormalities may also be associated with increased risk of multiple myeloma.

 

Prevention

There are few known ways to protect against multiple myeloma, however, avoidance of exposure to ionising radiation and the metals and chemicals listed in this fact sheet is recommended.

Detection and screening

There is no screening test for multiple myeloma.

Symptoms associated with multiple myeloma are also associated with more common illnesses that are not cancer. Such symptoms include tiredness, back and rib pain, broken bones, weight loss and fever.

Diagnosis of multiple myeloma is through blood and urine tests. A biopsy may also be performed to determine if multiple myeloma cells are in the bone marrow. X-rays may also be performed to check for broken or thinning bones.

Research

Around $17.8 million was spent on research into lymphohaematopoietic cancers, including multiple myeloma, in NSW between 2007 and 2009.

Data sources:

  1. Cancer In NSW, Incidence and Mortality Report 2008. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, August 2010.
  2. Cancer Research in NSW 2007-2009. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW. March 2011.
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