Max Walker died of a blood cancer called myeloma, not melanoma

Updated

Max Walker's family are working to raise awareness and research funds for myeloma after the 68-year-old former Test cricketer died from the type of blood cancer.

It was previously reported the fan favourite bowler, commentator and author, nicknamed Tangles for his distinctive bowling action, died from melanoma, a skin cancer.

But the Walker family said he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on August 12, 2013.

In December 2013, Walker underwent chemotherapy, a stem cell harvest and autologous transplant at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

In June 2016 he required further chemotherapy in preparation for both an autologous transplant and a future autograft.

"Sadly the second part of this process did not eventuate due to the highly aggressive nature of Max's cancer," the Walker family said.

"The skill and level of care delivered by all staff at The Alfred Hospital Melbourne was second to none."

This family say Walker wished for people to donate toward the research of multiple myeloma and cancer.

What is myeloma?

Myeloma is a type of cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow, according to Cancer Council Australia.

The disease is often called multiple myeloma as bone marrow is found in many areas of the body, including the spine, skull, shoulders, ribs and pelvis.

Cells become cancerous when the DNA of the plasma cells are damaged.

Once damaged the abnormal plasma cells, known as myeloma cells, divide and spread throughout the bone marrow.

The myeloma cells multiple and crowd out the bone marrow, meaning there is not enough space to make enough normal blood cells.

How common is myeloma?

Each year in Australia around 1,700 people are diagnosed with myeloma — the equivalent of four people every day, the Leukaemia Foundation said.

The risk of myeloma, which is more common in men than in women, increases with age.

Around 75 per cent of all new cases are diagnosed in people aged 60 years or over, the Leukaemia Foundation said.

Topics: cancer, diseases-and-disorders, cricket, sport, australia

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