BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri reveals she has incurable blood cancer

BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri disclosed that she was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare but incurable form of blood cancer, after doctors informed her in November of the previous year. The condition, which affects roughly 8,000 people in the United Kingdom, cannot be cured but can be managed with treatment. Moshiri, who works on live news broadcasts, described the diagnosis as a “cruel blow,” noting that while she can receive therapy, the disease remains permanent. She detailed a range of symptoms she has experienced, including persistent headaches, blurred vision, night sweats, burning sensations in her hands and feet, and overwhelming fatigue that left her feeling as though “someone had taken your batteries out.”

To control the disease, Moshiri began a regimen of daily aspirin and regular venesections—procedures that draw blood to lower her red blood cell count. These interventions have helped manage the condition but have also contributed to her chronic exhaustion, especially given the high‑pressure environment of live news presenting. She later switched to a weekly Pegasys injection, which, while still causing fatigue, proved effective in stabilising her blood counts. Moshiri emphasized that polycythaemia vera is a “silent or hidden” cancer, contrasting it with more widely recognized forms that involve chemotherapy and a clear endpoint, and highlighted the misconception that blood cancers are always curable.

By speaking publicly about her diagnosis, Moshiri aims to raise awareness of PV and the broader challenges faced by those living with chronic blood cancers. She hopes her story will encourage greater understanding of the condition’s impact on daily life and support the work of Blood Cancer UK, the charity she is now championing.

⚡ Effects Interpreter