1. MULTIPLE MYELOMA Grant Support: National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH (# P20MD002286). Francis Callwood BA

2. A RESEARCH PROPOSAL QUESTION: –What are the experiences of persons diagnosed with multiple myeloma? PURPOSE: –to document the lived experiences of Virgin Islanders who have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma

3. BACKGROUND Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most prevalent blood cancer after non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Represents approximately 1% of all cancers in whites and 2% of cancers in blacks Estimated about 20,580 new cases of multiple myeloma would be diagnosed during 2009 (American Cancer Society)

4. WHY STUDY MULTIPLE MYELOMA? Personal experience Number of cases in small community Curiosity as to how persons managed and coped

5. RESEARCH PLAN Qualitative methods Purposive sampling –A minimum of ten subjects –Adult male or female Virgin Islanders who have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and their significant others –Informed consent Recruitment methodology

6. RESEARCH PROCESS Interviews Recording –Audio –Video

7. INTERVIEW GUIDE Diagnosis Treatment Recuperation Safety network/social support Reflection

8. DATA ANALYSIS Review of transcripts –Identify recurring themes and commonalities in experiences using qualitative analysis software

9. EXPECTED OUTCOMES Publication in professional journal Documentary

10. REFERENCES American Cancer Society. (2010) retrieved on January 25, 2010 From http://www.cancer.org Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. (2010). Retrieved on January 19, 2010 From http://www.themmrf.org/living-with-multiple- myeloma/newly-diagnosed-patients/what-is-multiple- myeloma/causes-and-incidence.html Dahan, J.F., Auerbach, C.F. (2006). A qualitative study of the trauma and posttraumatic growth of multiple myeloma patients treated with peripheral blood stem cell transplant. Palliative Support Care, 4(4), 365-387.