BBC presenter reveals incurable blood cancer

BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri has revealed she is living with polycythaemia vera, a rare and incurable form of blood cancer that requires lifelong treatment. The 49-year-old journalist, who joined the BBC in 2003, shared her diagnosis to raise awareness about the disease, stating she felt ready to speak publicly after two years of managing its impact on her life. Moshiri was diagnosed in November 2024 following abnormalities detected during routine blood tests. Polycythaemia vera, also known as PV, is a condition where the body produces too many red blood cells, causing the blood to thicken. This can impede blood flow and increase the risk of serious complications such as stroke, heart attack, or deep vein thrombosis. While PV cannot be cured, it can be managed with treatments aimed at controlling blood cell levels and reducing clot risks. In some cases, PV can progress to other blood cancers, including myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukaemia. Initially, Moshiri experienced few or no symptoms, crediting her general practitioner's diligence with routine blood tests for the early detection.