BBC News chief presenter Maryam Moshiri has publicly revealed that she has spent the last two years quietly managing polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare and incurable form of blood cancer.
The 49-year-old broadcaster, who discovered the condition following routine blood tests in November 2024, decided to share her health journey to raise public awareness. PV causes the bone marrow to overproduce red blood cells, thickening the blood and significantly increasing the risk of dangerous clots, strokes, and cardiovascular complications.
Despite enduring grueling medical treatments—including multiple initial venesection procedures that depleted her iron levels, severe exhaustion, hair loss, and intense internal itching—Moshiri continued anchoring major international news broadcasts across the globe. After transitioning to specialized NHS immunotherapy via interferon injections, her condition has stabilized significantly.
Partnering with Blood Cancer UK to support their awareness campaigns, Moshiri emphasized the emotional toll of carrying a “hidden” illness while balancing a high-profile career and raising a family.
“I’m going to have to spend the rest of my life being treated for this… I think it’s really important people understand that this blood cancer is incurable but it’s manageable with the right treatment and you can lead a relatively healthy life.”
