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Maryam Moshiri, a prominent BBC News presenter, has publicly disclosed her diagnosis of blood cancer. Having been with the BBC since 2003, Moshiri is one of the channel’s most recognized faces and decided to share her experience to increase awareness about the illness. She explained that it has been two years since she was diagnosed and, over time, she has gained a deeper understanding of the disease and how it impacts her daily life. “I’ve got a handle on it to a degree now, so I felt it was really important to raise awareness,” the 49-year-old said. She also acknowledged the lifelong nature of her treatment, stating, “I’m going to have to spend the rest of my life being treated for this.”
Her diagnosis came in November 2024 when she was found to have polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare but manageable form of blood cancer. This condition causes the body to produce an excess of red blood cells, thickening the blood and increasing the risk of dangerous blood clots that could result in strokes, heart attacks, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and confusion. Moshiri shared that she had no symptoms initially, which made her diagnosis all the more unexpected. It was only due to her GP’s thoroughness in performing routine blood tests that the condition was detected early.
During the initial phase of her treatment, Moshiri underwent several hours-long venesection sessions, where blood is drawn slowly from the arm to reduce its thickness. She described these experiences as “debilitating,” leading to a significant drop in her iron levels and worsening exhaustion. Alongside fatigue, she experienced hair loss and intense itching. Eventually, she began immunotherapy using interferon through the NHS, which has improved her condition. “I’ve only needed one venesection in about 15 months, so that’s been really good,” she noted. She emphasized the importance of understanding that while PV is incurable, it is manageable with suitable treatment, allowing many to live relatively healthy lives.
Despite her diagnosis and the ongoing fatigue which sometimes prevents her from fully engaging in family life or social activities, Moshiri has maintained her demanding role covering major international events for the BBC. She recounted her travels to places including Qatar during the US-Israel conflict, the Vatican for the new Pope’s selection, and Greenland for a diplomatic visit. She credited her husband Jonathan, her three children—13-year-old Iris, 11-year-old Vivienne, and nine-year-old Caspian—and supportive BBC management for helping her navigate the challenges. “When I say things like ‘mummy is too tired to play with you’, they get it and they don’t push it,” she said. Helen Rowntree, chief executive of Blood Cancer UK, praised Moshiri’s courage in sharing her story, highlighting the need for greater public and governmental support for research and improved treatments for blood cancer, which remains one of the UK’s deadliest cancers
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