Patti says she was diagnosed with this rare blood cancer in 2018 and has since struggled to perform
Patti Scialfa the wife of Bruce Springsteen and the longtime member of his E Street band, has confirmed that she has been battling blood cancer for about six years. The 71-year-old made the revelation in Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – a world tour documentary. The musician said she has multiple myeloma - also known as plasma cell myeloma which affects the plasma cells in bone marrow.
Patti said she was diagnosed with this rare blood cancer in 2018 and has since struggled to perform because of the illness. “This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go,” Scialfa says in the documentary, according to Variety. “Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs on stage, and that’s been a treat.”
What is multiple myeloma and how does it affect you?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, multiple myeloma affects plasma cells - white blood cells produced in the bone marrow. It affects when healthy cells become abnormal and begin to aggressively multiply and produce abnormal antibodies. This change starts a lot of medical conditions that can affect your bones, kidneys, and your body’s ability to make healthy red and white blood cells and platelets.
Doctors say this cancer primarily affects your bones and kidneys and often makes patients more vulnerable to recurring infections such as respiratory illnesses.
No cure for myeloma
Experts say there is no cure for multiple myeloma and so, many patients receive treatment forever – requiring long-term and ongoing treatment along with lifelong monitoring.
Statistics say around 35,000 multiple myeloma cases are reported each year in the United States. Older adults, men, and people with obesity have a higher risk of the disease, though doctors are still trying to understand the reasons for that. Multiple myeloma is also twice as common among Black people than white people with mortality rates among Black Americans twice as high.
Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma
Doctors say many people have multiple myeloma without symptoms, but their blood tests would show signs of the condition. A few of these include:
- Weakness in your arms and legs as the condition usually affects the bones in your spine, causing them to collapse
- Fatigue and tiredness, feeling weak
- Recurrent nausea and vomiting
- No appetite and feeling thirstier than usual
- Unexplained weight loss
- Kidney problems
- Unexplained fever
- Bruising and bleeding easily
- Feeling confused or foggy
What causes multiple myeloma?
Doctors say they are not sure what exactly causes multiple myeloma, however, a few potential causes, include:
Genetic mutations
Research has been going on to investigate links between mutations or changing oncogenes – cells that promote growth, and multiple myeloma.
Environmental factors
Studies say there is a potential connection between multiple myeloma and exposure to radiation or chemicals in pesticides or fertilizers.
Inflammatory diseases
People who suffer from long-term inflammatory conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis
Obesity
Having high levels of body fat
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