Is There A Relationship Between Accessibility And Affordability Of Quality Medical Care And Survival Rates Of Cancer Patients? | MyMyelomaTeam

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Is There A Relationship Between Accessibility And Affordability Of Quality Medical Care And Survival Rates Of Cancer Patients?
A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
posted April 7
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A MyMyelomaTeam Member

It is a very common concern here in Atlanta. Black people don't have the same access to care. But black people with myeloma actually do better than whites if they get the right treatment.

posted April 7
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Yes there is for MM. You should go to a hospital that has great cancer experience particularly in MM. Have a team of people such as a great MM expert and a good local oncologist who work together for you. Depending on where you live I would get your SCT done at a location like Roswell Park where I did and have my local oncologist in Rochester if you are in my area. The approach works well for most people. Just going to a local hospital with a standard oncologist has less success from what I have read.

posted April 7
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

A very common concern with newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma patients is cost and finances. I edited this response after reading your profile as a citizen of Kenya. I do not know what you can access in the USA from your home in Kenya. I apologize if this information is not at all applicable to you.

Below is a new Financial Coach Program available at the website for Healthtree. 
I have seen various team members struggle with financial issues upon diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma especially if they do not have government healthcare or effective healthcare resources. You may want to check out Healthtree as they have a new Multiple Myeloma Financial Coach program. You can use your search engine to locate the Healthtree website. I hope this helps you and others on our team.
Healthtree Multiple Myeloma Coach program
They offer 1:1 free assistance and resources about things that most of the myeloma community worry about or deal with such as: 
Their goal is to give you the financial tools necessary to help you stay on track in your financial life and not experience financial toxicity. Request the help of a free financial coach if you can.

Some assistance programs for multiple myeloma medications.

Some grants for multiple myeloma medications include:
VELCADE Reimbursement Assistance Program — A Velcade (bortezomib) reimbursement program offered by Takeda Oncology Here2Assist. 
Bristol Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation — Helps uninsured people afford medications like Revlimid (lenalidomide). 
Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation — Helps uninsured people with low incomes afford medication like Darzalex (daratumumab). 
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation has a list of drug manufacturer assistance programs on its website.
Some resources help connect people with relevant financial assistance programs. One example is NeedyMeds, a nonprofit organization that helps people find assistance programs by drug or diagnosis. PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool matches people with resources for affording medications. 
Healthwell provides grants to cover the costs of Revlimid. I do not know if these grants are available in your country.

I think Peterdem covered concerns with accessibility to multiple myeloma Specialist care. However, geographic limitations can often be an issue if you are located in a very remote location from care or you are too ill to travel. I live several hours from my MM Specialist and travel to appointments by train. We all can certainly have our own challenges . I hope that you can overcome yours and these suggestions can help you. 🙏
Take care and keep in touch.

posted April 7 (edited)
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I don't have any particular studies to rely on, but I feel confident that seeing a MM specialist is key to survival. Merely relying on a general oncologist is not enough. I'm sure there are financial barriers to this approach and hope that the financial resources previously mentioned bridge the gap.

posted April 7
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Thanks to you all for finding time to reply to my concerns about MM and survival rates. I think that access to good healthcare is a major determinant to survival rates including other factors.

posted April 8

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