BBC broadcaster Lauren Laverne has described spending time outdoors as a crucial form of "therapy" as she navigates a decade marked by significant health challenges. Laverne, known for presenting BBC Radio 4's "Desert Island Discs" and a weekday show on BBC Radio 6 Music, recently revealed a diagnosis of smouldering myeloma, a rare blood and bone marrow disorder.
This latest diagnosis comes two years after Laverne publicly shared her battle with cancer. She received the "all-clear" from that illness in November, following a month-long hospital stay.
Reflecting on the past eight years, Laverne noted the loss of both her parents, her cancer diagnosis, and subsequent recovery processes. "My garden has been massive therapy for me," she stated, emphasizing an increasing need for outdoor time as she has gotten older. She recalled her hospital experience, noting the disconnect from the natural world during a heatwave while confined indoors under artificial light.
Laverne disclosed her smouldering myeloma diagnosis earlier this month via a personal announcement, explaining that while it is an asymptomatic condition, it can develop into blood cancer in some individuals. She stated that the risk of this progression is low in her case and that she currently feels well and does not require treatment.
She explained that many individuals with smouldering myeloma are unaware they have it, but cancer survivors like herself are often diagnosed early due to ongoing monitoring. Laverne clarified that this condition is unrelated to her previous cancer or recent surgery, describing it as a chronic condition with no current cure. It does, however, mean her immune system is somewhat compromised, necessitating self-care and regular monitoring through blood tests, MRIs, and bone marrow biopsies.
Laverne shared her experiences to help others, noting that seeing public figures discuss similar situations had been beneficial to her. She expressed gratitude for her support network, including family, friends, the BBC 6 Music team, medical professionals, her therapist, and her general practitioner. She particularly highlighted the role of her GP in catching her persistently low iron levels early, which led to her recent health investigations.
"Advocate for yourself if you need to and ask to see a haematologist if you are in the same situation," Laverne advised.
She announced plans for a short holiday before returning to work, expressing a desire to further discuss her experiences at a later time. Laverne concluded her message with well wishes to anyone facing similar health issues.