Psychological support key throughout myeloma care

Patients with myeloma should be offered psychological assessment and support at various stages in their treatment, according to guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Although this relatively rare type of blood cancer cannot be cured, treatments can help with the symptoms and improve quality and length of life. 

NICE recommends psychological support at diagnosis of myeloma, at the beginning and end of each treatment, if the condition worsens despite treatment, and when people start to require end of life care.

Clinical nurse specialist Monica Morris, a member of the committee that developed the NICE advice, added: ‘The guidelines also recommend the need to provide individualised information and support to patients, families and carers at all stages of the pathway, which is particularly relevant for myeloma patients, whose needs and concerns change throughout the course of their disease.’ 

Second stem cell transplants for suitable patients are also recommended by NICE.

Read the guidelines here