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

The objectives of the proposed study are to develop and evaluate protocols for ethnic/racial minority-specific research using cancer registry data. In conjunction with the Cancer Registry of Greater California (CRGC), the investigators have developed procedures to identify, recruit, and survey ethnic/racial minority patients with MM. To pilot the study, the investigators aim initially to test the feasibility of this protocol by contacting 400 eligible patients (100 African Americans, 100 Latinos, 100 Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander-AANHPI and 100 non-Hispanic Whites as a comparison group) to conduct a pilot survey through which will ascertain etiological and survival-related factors for MM. Ultimately, the investigators hope the findings from this pilot will yield insight into the best practices for recruiting minorities with MM and serve as the basis for larger population-based studies of MM etiology and survival.

The next phase of this study is to expand the study to all 3 California Cancer Registries, including the Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry and the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program and Cancer Registry of Greater California. We will increase the sample size to recruit atleast 1000 participants per racial/ethnic group. We will also request to increase the scope of the study to also continue a survivorship cohort.