Tom Brokaw was a nationally recognized journalist for decades, achieving the top job as the NBC Nightly News anchor before retiring in 2021. But in addition to his role as a newscaster, Brokaw is also part of the multiple myeloma (MM) community. Though he has an incurable blood cancer, Brokaw has been living with myeloma for over 10 years.

Read on to discover how Tom Brokaw navigates his multiple myeloma treatments to manage the disease.

How Long Has Tom Brokaw Had Multiple Myeloma?

Tom Brokaw first received a multiple myeloma diagnosis in August 2013. His doctor suspected something was going on with Brokaw’s health, so he ran some blood tests. The doctor then brought in a hematologist to share the results with Brokaw. The doctors told him, “You’ve got a malignancy. It’s called multiple myeloma.”

Brokaw worked with his care team to develop a treatment plan so he could stay as healthy as possible. “The key is doing everything in your power to manage it,” Brokaw said.

What Treatment Did Tom Brokaw Get for Multiple Myeloma?

Tom Brokaw’s multiple myeloma treatment course has included medications to control the disease, as well as drugs to manage symptoms. He initially had chemotherapy and achieved remission in 2014. In 2020, he said he was on lenalidomide (Revlimid). This myeloma maintenance therapy can improve progression-free survival. It may also prolong overall survival.

Brokaw also uses medical marijuana to control myeloma back pain. Living with back pain can impact your quality of life, so it’s important to work with your doctor to find ways to manage it.

Brokaw often talks to other people with myeloma to trade stories about how their treatment plans are working. “When I see people with multiple myeloma, they stop me and I ask them what they’re on,” he said. “It’s sort of like a club.”

‘Take an Active Role’

Brokaw encourages other people with cancer to take control of their care. He acknowledges that he has privileges that not everyone has. But he also notes that everyone with myeloma has the ability to manage their own treatment plans. “You have to take an active role in it,” he said. “Everybody has to be constantly conscious of the fact, it’s your body, it’s your health, it’s the cancer that’s affecting you. Get involved in the fight.”

Brokaw has also spoken about how cancer treatment costs can deter some people from getting quality myeloma care. He has encouraged those in leadership roles to ensure that treatment access becomes more affordable for everyone. “We have the ability to do it,” he said. “We have the greatest resources in the world. Let’s figure out how we can make it cost effective, how we can have a true testing program for efficiency and results, and that people will have access to those results.”

An Inspiration for Others

Following his diagnosis, Brokaw wrote a book called “A Lucky Life Interrupted: A Memoir of Hope” about his experience with myeloma. His openness may help normalize the conversation around multiple myeloma and chronic cancer care.

“Tom Brokaw’s book is very readable and shows how his diagnosis of multiple myeloma interrupted his life,” one MyMyelomaTeam member said. “He gave an inclusive view into his life and multiple myeloma. I recommend it! He was the first celebrity to bring MM into the limelight. Not many people had even heard of multiple myeloma. Awareness is very important to raise money for research.”

Another member replied, “I am inspired by fellow and celebrity MM folks. We can learn so much from each other. It’s also quite affirming that we’re not alone in this journey.” A third member said, “I read his book, and found my husband’s MM journey to be very similar, right down to the treatments he’s had. It was very inspirational and gives me hope that we can continue on doing as well as Tom Brokaw.”

Brokaw embraces the fact that his cancer diagnosis has given him new ways to connect with others. “Cancer gave me a new reason to want to live,” he said. “And it gave me a new mission as a human being about the relationships that I would develop with other people.”

Find Your Team

MyMyelomaTeam is the social network for people with myeloma and their loved ones. On MyMyelomaTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with myeloma.

Have you followed Tom Brokaw’s discussions about life with multiple myeloma? How did it change your perspective on this disease? Share your experiences in the comments below, start a conversation by posting on your Activities page, or connect with like-minded members in Groups.