Maryam Moshiri reveals diagnosis of rare blood cancer

BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri has revealed she is living with polycythemia vera, a rare and currently incurable type of blood cancer. The 49-year-old journalist shared her diagnosis, which occurred in November 2024 following routine blood tests.

Polycythemia vera is a condition affecting the bone marrow that causes an overproduction of red blood cells, making the blood thicker and increasing the risk of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks. Moshiri noted that the disease is often difficult to detect because she initially experienced no clear symptoms.

Her treatment has included multiple venesections—a procedure to remove blood to reduce cell concentration—to manage her levels. Moshiri reported significant side effects from the condition and its treatments, including intense fatigue, hair loss, itching, and headaches.