Can We Prevent Multiple Myeloma? | IMWG Dr. Shaji Kumar (Mayo Clinic) on Risk, MGUS, Early Treatment

Can multiple myeloma ever be prevented—or even cured before it becomes active? In this in-depth interview, Dr. Shaji Kumar, hematologist at Mayo Clinic and member of the IMF's Scientific Advisory Board and International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), explains what we now know about MGUS, smoldering myeloma, high-risk myeloma, and why early intervention is becoming so important. Dr. Kumar discusses how genetics, environment, and lifestyle influence myeloma risk, how new IMWG high-risk guidelines were created, and why trials like the IMF's iStopMM and the IMF’s Black Swan Research Initiative® are changing the future. If you or a loved one is living with multiple myeloma, MGUS, or smoldering myeloma, this video will help you understand your risk, your options, and how to still live a full life with myeloma—not around it. Topics Covered in this Video: 0:00 - Introduction and teaser 1:33 - Dr. Kumar’s training and path to Mayo Clinic 2:40 - Overview of his research: MGUS, smoldering myeloma, light-chain amyloidosis 3:34 - How he became involved with the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) 4:06 - Role and impact of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) 5:07 - Why new high-risk multiple myeloma definitions were needed 8:50 - Evolution of thinking on smoldering myeloma (watch & wait → early treatment) 12:20 - The IMF Scientific Advisory Board: setting research priorities 14:01 - The #1 question patients ask: “Why did this happen to me?” 14:35 - Genetic risk, family history, and identified polymorphisms 14:46 - Environmental risks: pesticides, farming, 9/11 first responders 15:08 - Lifestyle risk: obesity and progression from MGUS to myeloma 15:46 - What large population studies like iStopMM are teaching us 16:05 - Can we prevent progression with low-toxicity early treatment? 16:54 - How the IMF supports patients at diagnosis and beyond 18:35 - Dr. Kumar’s message to patients: live your life with myeloma, not around it Have a question that needs more personalized support? Call us! We’re here for you. The IMF’s InfoLine is available to answer your myeloma-related questions and concerns. Call us at 1-818-487-7455, email us at [email protected], or schedule your call at a time that works best for you at: https://www.myeloma.org/infoline. _______________ Improving Lives | Finding the Cure Founded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the first and largest organization focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. The IMF’s reach extends to more than 525,000 members in 140 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of lives of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure through our four founding principles: Research, Education, Support, and Advocacy. Subscribe to our channel:    / imfmyeloma   Visit our website at: https://www.myeloma.org Find us online: Facebook: @myeloma |   / myeloma   X/Twitter: @IMFMyeloma |   / imfmyeloma   Instagram: @imfmyeloma |   / imfmyeloma   LinkedIn:   / international-myeloma-foundation   Support the IMF | Donate Now! https://fundraise.myeloma.org/give/52... Category Nonprofits & Activism License Standard YouTube License The International Myeloma Foundation is committed to accessibility for all. That’s why all English-language videos uploaded to our YouTube channel feature human-transcribed closed captioning. This ensures more accurate captions for viewers who are Deaf or hard of hearing and improves the quality of automatic translations into other languages for our global audience.