Yesterday I passed-along the new name that was selected for Millennium’s experimental proteasome inhibitor, MLN9708: ixazomib
Is “ixazomib” a good choice? Who knows?
But I will suggest a name that isn’t very good: multiple myeloma.
Isn’t very good? IT STINKS!
I’m an educated guy. A former business owner and teacher, I have a Masters degree–yet I didn’t know what myeloma was when I was first diagnosed. I didn’t even know it was cancer!
I have owned a number of businesses over the years. I was always taught to be descriptive when selecting a name. “People should understand what you do when they read your sign” a successful business owner once wisely told me.
And I have always followed his advice. Here are the names of a few businesses that Pattie and I have built over the years:
* Baraboo Fitness Center
* Critter Rescue
* Attic Antiques
* Back in the Woods
* Help with Cancer.org
Except for possibly “Back in the Woods”–which was an “up north” lake country home decor shop that made sense to someone standing outside–I believe no explanation was needed to quickly understand what any of these businesses were trying to do.
So who the heck came-up with the name “multiple myeloma?” Heck, even dropping the “multiple” part makes more sense. “Myeloma.” Not so bad.
But while I was speaking to the Twin Cities Multiple Myeloma Support Group (a bit long, but a clearly descriptive name) Saturday, I suggested we start a petition to rename our cancer.
“I’m tired of trying to explain that I don’t have skin cancer (melanoma) to someone on the street.” I said. “Let’s start a petition to dump the name, multiple myeloma, and instead substitute the much simpler, more descriptive name, “bone marrow cancer.”
There. Was that so hard? Short and simple. Descriptive and easy to understand.
BONE MARROW CANCER.
As I looked-out over the room, filled with 40 or more myeloma/bone marrow cancer patients and caregivers, I saw some nods and smiles of acknowledgement–but I didn’t sense a revolution brewing.
Still, I wanted to put my idea to the test. I’ll let you know what I learned while I was doing some marketing research tomorrow.
For the record, you do realize that I’m kidding a bit about all of this, right? But only a bit. Because you and I can call our cancer anything we want–although several suggestions I’ve heard from other patients are too nasty and inappropriate to post!
Stay tuned to see what I come-up with tomorrow.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat
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