Building Research Methods to Study Racial and Ethnic Differences in Multiple Myeloma in California Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are developing and testing protocols to improve research involving ethnic and racial minorities with Multiple Myeloma MM using cancer registry data. The study aims to better understand factors related to the causes and survival of MM among different racial and ethnic groups. Initially, a pilot study contacted 400 patients across four groups to assess the feasibility of recruitment and data collection, with plans to expand the research to include over 1,000 participants per group using Californias three cancer registries. The study involves identifying eligible patients diagnosed with MM in California who are at least 21 years old and alive at the time of participation. Researchers will contact participants by mail, sending a survey packet that includes instructions, consent information, the survey itself, and incentives. The survey covers demographics, risk factors, cancer treatment, quality of life, and social determinants of health, taking about 30-45 minutes to complete. This phase will extend through 2025 and may include a survivorship cohort. Participants will be involved by completing mailed surveys and possibly providing saliva samples for additional analysis. Researchers will monitor response rates by raceethnicity and disease status to identify any disparities in participation. Data will be collected and handled following cancer registry policies. The study seeks to inform best practices for recruiting minorities with MM and provide insights for larger population-based studies on MM causes and survival.

Development of a Research Infrastructure for Understanding and Addressing Multiple Myeloma Disparities