Lauren Laverne, a presenter on BBC One Show, Desert Island Discs and 6 Music, announced she has received a diagnosis of smouldering myeloma. The condition is described as an asymptomatic blood and bone marrow disorder characterized by abnormal cells in the bone marrow and abnormal proteins in blood or urine. Laverne stated that she currently feels well and does not require treatment at present, while noting that the risk of the condition developing into active myeloma is relatively low in her case.
The diagnosis emerged approximately two years after Laverne was treated for an unspecified cancer, for which she reported receiving an all-clear notification in November 2024. She emphasized that the new diagnosis is unrelated to her previous illness or recent surgery. Laverne explained that the condition is chronic without a current cure and will require ongoing monitoring through blood tests, MRI scans, and bone marrow biopsies. She also noted that the diagnosis has resulted in a somewhat compromised immune system, necessitating careful health management.
Laverne credited her physician with identifying the condition early, attributing the discovery to investigations into persistently low iron levels. She encouraged others to advocate for themselves in medical situations and to request evaluation by a hematologist if experiencing similar symptoms. The broadcaster plans to take a brief holiday before returning to regular work activities. According to Myeloma UK, smouldering myeloma patients require regular monitoring to detect progression toward active myeloma, though the timeline for such development varies considerably among individuals.