BBC news presenter Maryam Moshiri has disclosed that she is living with an incurable blood cancer. The 49-year-old was diagnosed nearly two years ago with Polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare condition where the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of red blood cells, causing the blood to thicken.
While PV cannot be cured, it is generally managed as a chronic condition. Untreated, it can lead to serious health issues such as blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Ms. Moshiri described her treatment as "gruelling" but stated that it is "better than dying, obviously, of a horrible cancer." She acknowledged that coming to terms with the condition takes time.
Ms. Moshiri learned of her diagnosis through a blood test related to menopause. Initially, her treatment involved drawing more than a pint of blood monthly to reduce the concentration of red blood cells, a process that left her feeling exhausted and unwell. During this period, she also covered significant international events, including the death of the Pope and the subsequent conclave in Rome, working demanding 14-hour days while managing her fatigue.
She emphasized her commitment to her work, stating that "a big part of this disease is having to get on with life." Upon returning, she commenced immunotherapy treatment with interferon at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS trust in London. This treatment helped reduce the need for frequent blood draws, although she experienced severe side effects, including insomnia, headaches, and intense itching.
Ms. Moshiri shared the emotional impact of her illness, recounting how she was sometimes unable to play with her three children—Iris, 13, Vivienne, 11, and Caspian, 9—due to extreme tiredness. Her children's first question upon learning about her condition was whether she was going to die.
Later, she switched to a different medication with more manageable side effects, though her lifestyle now requires managing hospital appointments and medication regimens. Ms. Moshiri is now lending her support to the Blood Cancer UK campaign "Here for This," which aims to raise awareness about the missed moments in life that blood cancer sufferers experience.
Helen Rowntree, chief executive of Blood Cancer UK, expressed gratitude to Ms. Moshiri for sharing her story, noting that public figures speaking out can help break the silence surrounding blood cancer, which is the UK's fifth most common and third deadliest cancer. Rowntree also highlighted the need for continued public and government support to fund the development of more effective and gentler treatments for blood cancer patients.