Understanding Smoldering Myeloma Care: Your Experience Can Improve Care for All

Patients with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) often face varying approaches to monitoring and management. While some physicians recommend early intervention for "high-risk" SMM, others prefer watchful waiting. This inconsistency extends to monitoring frequency and testing protocols, potentially creating disparities in care.

Recent research suggests that early treatment may delay progression to active multiple myeloma, leading to numerous clinical trials exploring various interventions. However, we still lack comprehensive real-world data on how SMM is managed across different healthcare settings and how patients perceive these approaches.

This is where your experience becomes invaluable.

A Patient-Centered Research Initiative

The HealthTree Foundation is conducting an observational, cross-sectional survey study titled "Your Smoldering Myeloma Journey: Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Management" to address these knowledge gaps. The study aims to evaluate real-world surveillance and treatment strategies using patient-reported data.

"We need to understand if patients are receiving adequate monitoring, whether they have access to clinical trials, and their experiences with early intervention," explains S. Vincent Rajkumar, MD, lead investigator. "Patient perspectives on SMM management are crucial for improving care standards."

The survey specifically seeks to identify:

• Patterns in SMM monitoring across community and academic settings
• Access to clinical trials for SMM patients
• Patient experiences with early intervention approaches
• Patient knowledge and perspectives on treatment options

Who Can Participate? 

The study welcomes:

• Patients currently diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma
• Multiple myeloma patients who were previously diagnosed with SMM

Participation involves completing a brief survey consisting of 19 questions about your SMM experience and 7 demographic questions. The entire process takes approximately 10 minutes.

How Your Participation Makes a Difference

Your contribution will help researchers identify potential gaps in SMM management and address disparities in access to early intervention and clinical trials. This information is vital for developing more standardized approaches to SMM care and ensuring all patients receive optimal monitoring and treatment options.

To participate, simply create a free account on HealthTree Cure Hub® and complete the survey. Your responses will remain confidential while contributing to this important research.

The myeloma community has consistently demonstrated how collective patient experiences can drive meaningful improvements in care. This survey represents another opportunity to ensure that patient voices guide the evolution of SMM management strategies.

Join us in this important research initiative. Your experience matters, and your participation could help shape better care for future SMM patients.

Create your free HealthTree Cure Hub® account and access the survey here