Lauren Laverne, a presenter for BBC One Show, Desert Island Discs, and 6 Music, announced via Instagram that she has received a diagnosis of smouldering myeloma, a blood and bone marrow condition. The 48-year-old broadcaster described the disorder as asymptomatic and noted that while it can progress to blood cancer in some cases, her personal risk of that development is relatively low.
Laverne’s diagnosis emerged approximately two years after she was treated for an unspecified cancer, for which she reported receiving clearance in November 2024. She emphasized that the new diagnosis is unrelated to her previous illness or recent surgical procedure. The broadcaster explained that smouldering myeloma typically remains undetected in most people her age, but cancer survivors like herself are often identified early due to intensive medical monitoring protocols.
The condition is characterized by the presence of abnormal cells in bone marrow and abnormal proteins in blood or urine, according to medical sources. While currently without cure and requiring no immediate treatment, smouldering myeloma is classified as chronic and necessitates careful management. Laverne indicated she will undergo regular blood tests, MRI scans, and bone marrow biopsies to monitor her condition.
Laverne credited her general practitioner with identifying the disorder early and attributed the diagnosis to investigation of persistently low iron levels. She advised others to advocate for themselves with medical professionals and seek specialist evaluation when experiencing similar symptoms. The broadcaster announced plans to take a two-week holiday before resuming her regular work schedule and expressed solidarity with others facing comparable health challenges.