Summary - Redefining Timely Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis: A Collaborative Path to Better Patient Outcomes with Healthcare Providers

Why this Matters:

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Facts, nearly 30% of multiple myeloma (MM) patients are diagnosed in emergency settings, often after the disease has already advanced. This pattern is associated with a mortality rate approximately 2x higher. Looking ahead, projections suggest that by 2030, MM case counts will rise significantly from more than 32,000 in 2020 with diagnoses among adults over age 65 expected to double.

A newly published national survey in The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine further highlights this critical gap among 300 U.S. primary care providers revealing that knowledge and testing gaps in the “front door” of care are driving preventable delays.

Key findings are sobering:

46% of primary care providers do not order any testing for plasma cell disorders, and among those who do, only 28% order the guideline-recommended paired testing strategy (SPEP + Serum Free Light Chains sFLC), the combination needed to detect light-chain-only myeloma, which accounts for 15–20% of cases.
Further, 80% report lacking confidence in selecting or interpreting the right tests, and only 15% have access to a standardized diagnostic panel, despite 54% saying they want one.

These gaps matter because over two-thirds of MM patients begin their diagnostic journey with primary care meaning the first visit can be the difference between early detection and missed opportunities for timely referral. Together, these findings demonstrate a clear and urgent need to accelerate healthcare provider awareness, diagnostic readiness, and actionable referral pathways so more patients can receive timely diagnosis and improved outcomes.

This 3-hour in-person CME and CE educational program is designed for primary care clinicians committed to optimizing patient care. This transformative learning experience will sharpen clinicians' ability to detect multiple myeloma earlier, make prompt referrals, and connect patients to lifesaving therapies sooner that can ultimately save lives.

Learning Objectives:

Our distinguished faculty brings together clinical expertise, real-world experience, and the lived perspective of patients, guided by three core learning objectives.

1. Identify the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and early warning signs of multiple myeloma

2. Translate evidence-based diagnostic education and laboratory evaluation strategies into daily practice

3. Recognize and address common contributors to reduce diagnostic delays and improve timely referrals