Multiple Myeloma Screening Education: A Community-Based Health Literacy Intervention

Purpose: To address the lack of federal screening guidelines and a limited understanding of multiple myeloma (MM) among the public and some primary care providers, we created the first community-based MM screening program and educational intervention. Methods: The academic cancer center partnered with community organizations to distribute an original brochure about MM, draw blood to check for monoclonal protein, and survey screening participants about MM knowledge and screening experiences. Any Black individual age 50 or older was eligible. To examine MM knowledge retention, study team members surveyed participants after at least one week had passed and screening results had been provided. The educational intervention also included continuing medical education (CME) about early detection of MM for healthcare professionals. Analysis utilized descriptive statistics and McNemar’s test to assess differences between the initial and follow-up surveys. Results: From 2023 to 2024 across 22 screening events, 199 participants completed the screening. Among the 158 individuals who completed both surveys, correct responses increased on all items and increased significantly on items about MM is a rare cancer of the blood (19.0%, p<0.0001) and individuals with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) have an abnormal protein in the blood (12.1%, p=0.002). Screening results identified 21 participants (11%) with MGUS. 46 healthcare providers engaged in three CME seminars. Conclusions: Participants retained knowledge about MM gained during the screening. Improved health literacy about cancer risk for MM may improve early detection, communication and decision making about cancer care.