Myeloma Awareness Month: How to Find a Myeloma Specialist

March is Myeloma Awareness Month and we're reviewing why expanding your knowledge of myeloma  and being your own best advocate can actually help lengthen your overall survival. There is so much that patients can do to get the best care possible. This article is focused on how to find a myeloma specialist.

First of all, why is it even important to find a myeloma specialist?

"Over 80% of myeloma patients are seen by community oncologists, but data shows that patients who have a specialist on their team live longer. In fact, if myeloma patients are treated by a myeloma specialist within the first year, a UNC study says they live 38% longer..." --MyelomaCrowd.org

Sometimes the location of your nearest specialist is an issue. For this reason, it is common for myeloma patients to have a team that includes periodic consultations to craft a treatment strategy with a myeloma specialist but receive care closer to home. Myeloma patients should always feel confident that they can obtain a second opinion if they need help.

How to find a myeloma specialist

HealthTree (www.healthtree.org) is an amazing tool that helps to find your best myeloma treatment options and accelerate a cure for multiple myeloma. Another great resource within HealthTree is the ability to find a myeloma specialist closest to you.

When logging into HealthTree or creating an account, there is a side menu to locate the many features HealthTree provides. To locate a myeloma specialist, fill out the "About Me" page, which can be located by clicking the green tab in the photo.

After you have filled out the About Me page, you will see a tab on the same page called "Myeloma Centers Near Me" in blue. Below it is a map of myeloma centers nearest to you based on the zip code you entered. If you click on the center's name there you will be taken to the facility's website. 

For a more comprehensive view of myeloma-specific specialists by region, you can also click "View All Myeloma Centers" to the right and it will show a page to search all myeloma facilities that are currently in HealthTree's system.

Once you locate a myeloma center, you can click on the center's name and the specialist's information will show up for each facility. 

For any questions, click the blue chat button on the HealthTree screen, email support@healthtree.org, or call 1-800-709-1113.