Maryam Moshiri, a prominent BBC News presenter who has worked for the network since 2003, announced that she has been living with polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare form of blood cancer. She disclosed her diagnosis from November 2024 publicly to increase awareness about the condition and its effects on daily life.
Polycythaemia vera is characterized by the body producing an excessive number of red blood cells, resulting in blood that is thicker than normal. While the condition cannot be cured, it can be managed with appropriate treatment. The disease carries elevated risks of blood clots, which may lead to stroke, heart attack, or deep vein thrombosis. Symptoms can include headaches, confusion, dizziness, and blurred vision, though Moshiri noted that she initially experienced minimal symptoms and her condition was only detected through routine blood tests followed by further diagnostic testing.
Moshiri’s initial treatment involved multiple venesection procedures—a therapeutic blood removal technique—conducted over a five-month period. She underwent seven or eight of these sessions, which she described as debilitating and lasting approximately one hour each. The procedure resulted in significant fatigue, hair loss, itching, and severely depleted iron levels. Subsequently, she began treatment with interferon, an immunotherapy medication provided through the NHS, which substantially improved her condition. She has required only one additional venesection in approximately 15 months since beginning this treatment.
Despite her diagnosis, Moshiri has continued her professional responsibilities, traveling internationally to cover major news events while managing her condition. She acknowledged that the fatigue associated with her illness significantly impacts her ability to engage in family activities and personal commitments. The condition has necessitated adjustments to her lifestyle, including managing the risk of serious cardiovascular and thrombotic events. Blood Cancer UK noted that in rare cases, polycythaemia vera can progress to myelofibrosis or, even more rarely, to acute myeloid leukaemia.
Moshiri emphasized the importance of understanding that while blood cancer is incurable, effective management through appropriate treatment allows patients to maintain relatively healthy lives. She credited her family, BBC management, and her healthcare team for their support and expressed hope for continued medical advancements that might provide even more effective treatment options with reduced side effects.
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