Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells that are found in the bone marrow.1
It is the second most prevalent blood cancer after non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, affecting approximately 7,000 Canadians in 2011, with the average age of diagnosis being 62 years for men and 61 years for women.2
Myeloma makes up 1.3% of all new cancer cases in Canada and 1.8% of all cancer deaths.2
1. Myeloma Canada. What is myeloma? Available at: http://www.myelomacanada.ca/en/whatismyeloma.htm
2. Myeloma Canada. Incidence and prevalence in Canada. Available at: http://www.myelomacanada.ca/en/about-multiple-myeloma/what-is-myeloma/incidence-and-prevalence-in-canada