Statistics for Multiple Myelo... Health Article

Some people use statistics to try to figure out their chance of getting cancer or of being cured. It is important to remember that this data shows what happens with large groups of people. Because no two people are alike, this information can’t be used to know or predict what will happen to you.

These are 2007 statistics about multiple myeloma from the American Cancer Society.

• About 20,000 people will be told they have multiple myeloma this year.

• Only 1% of cases are found in people younger than 40. Half of people diagnosed with this cancer are over 71 years old.

• Men are 50% more likely to have multiple myeloma than women.

• Multiple myeloma is about twice as common among African Americans as white Americans. The reason is not known.

• Close to 11,000 Americans will die of multiple myeloma this year.