Adelaide researchers are putting the call out to Australian adults living with multiple myeloma or smouldering myeloma to take part in a new national program designed to give people facing this incurable disease the tools to build their wellbeing.
The MyWell Study builds on a successful 2024 pilot program that showed clear improvements in participants’ confidence, coping skills and overall mental health. Those who took part in the pilot say the program helped them feel calmer, more supported and better able to manage the daily realities of living with an incurable blood cancer.
The MyWell study is now recruiting around 100 people from across Australia who are aged over 18 and have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma or smouldering myeloma.
The program is delivered online, so participants can take part from anywhere.
The study is being led by wellbeing researcher Dr Matthew Iasiello and psychologist Dr Natalie Tuckey from SAHMRI and Adelaide University.
The national collaboration also brings together researchers from Flinders University, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and the University of Technology Sydney along with Myeloma Australia.
Dr Iasiello says people living with myeloma often face significant emotional pressures that are not always addressed as part of routine care.
“People with myeloma experience a level of uncertainty that can be extremely challenging. Many have ongoing treatment, physical symptoms and the emotional strain that comes with them,” Dr Iasiello said.
“Our pilot program showed that structured wellbeing support can make a meaningful difference. This latest trial will help us understand how to deliver that support to more people across Australia.”
Vicki Wiseman took part in the program three years after being diagnosed with smouldering myeloma.
“The diagnosis made me feel a profound loss of control over my life and my ability to plan for the future. I struggled to accept my body and found it difficult to make positive choices to improve my health,” Mrs Wiseman said.
“It sparked something in me. Soon after finishing the program, I committed to continuing the strategies I’d learned and making gentle, sustainable changes to support my wellbeing. My goal now is simple – to stay stronger for longer.”
Last September, Vicki took eight weeks’ leave from her full-time role in education to focus on her health.
“My job became working on me,” she said.
“Positive affirmations in particular had a huge impact on my ability to stay the course.”
During that time with the support of her haemaotolgist and GP, she was able to reduce inflammation, improve her overall blood results and reverse prediabetes, while also bringing her weight back into a healthy BMI range.
Her wellbeing routine included stretching, meditation, hydrotherapy and morning hikes, alongside prioritising rest.
“There’s also been a big shift in my mindset. I moved from feeling guilty that I was letting my family down to being open about what I was going through. I’ve been deeply inspired by the love and support from my family, friends and colleagues,” Mrs Wiseman said.
Vicki has since returned to her full-time role as a primary school Deputy Principal while balancing work and family life, including supporting her youngest child through Year 12.
“Life is busy, but I’m still holding the course because I know investing in my wellbeing helps me live well now and will help me face the harder days in the future,” she said.
Psychologist and PhD candidate Natalie Tuckey, who is helping lead delivery of the program, says early feedback highlights the value of practical wellbeing tools.
“Participants told us the strategies they learned helped them feel more grounded, more hopeful and better able to manage stress. They also appreciated connecting with others who shared similar experiences,” she said.
“By expanding this study, we hope to reach more people and continue improving the type of support offered to the myeloma community.”
Those interested in participating in the MyWell Study can find out more and register by visiting sahmri.au/mywell