Why Open Communication is Crucial for Patients With Multiple Myeloma

For Kathy Small Wrice, a 20-year journey with multiple myeloma began not with a clear answer, but with a persistent intuition. Following her dream wedding in Malta, the Minneapolis native faced a diagnosis that would change her life. While initial testing following a hysterectomy showed no signs of the disease, Wrice refused to settle for inconclusive results. Her decision to push for further testing became the catalyst for two decades of life with myeloma, a milestone that underscores the critical role of self-advocacy in the patient experience.

As the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) recognizes Myeloma Action Month this March, Wrice is sharing her story to highlight a sobering reality in healthcare: women and people of color are approximately 30% more likely to be misdiagnosed than White men. These disparities often lead to delayed treatment and poorer clinical outcomes. For Wrice, closing this gap starts with a single, courageous act: speaking up.

In a recent discussion with CURE, Wrice noted that a "fear of talking to doctors" often prevents patients from sharing their full experience. She observed that younger patients, in particular, may struggle with modesty or a desire not to "hurt someone's feelings" by questioning a provider.

"If you think it, say it," Wrice urged. "Be straightforward and honest about your symptoms and the things that are going on with your body, because if [doctors] don't know, they just make assumptions."

Wrice emphasizes that doctors cannot treat what they do not fully understand. Whether a patient is experiencing a side effect from a specific medication or feels a treatment simply isn't working, that data is essential for the medical team.

"If the person can just say what is on their mind, what they're feeling—and if they're sick, tell them they're sick," Wrice said. "If they don't like the drug, tell them they don't like the drug."

For Wrice, the takeaway for Black women and men navigating a complex diagnosis is clear: The patient is the foremost expert on their own body. In a landscape where research and clinical trials continue to advance, the most immediate tool for survival remains the power of the patient’s own voice.

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