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BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri has revealed that she was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare and incurable but treatable blood cancer, in November 2024. The 49-year-old presenter said treatment has improved her condition, although fatigue remains a major challenge. She shared her experience to raise awareness of the disease and its often difficult-to-detect symptoms.
BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri has publicly disclosed that she has been living with polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare form of blood cancer that requires lifelong treatment.
Moshiri, 49, said she decided to discuss her diagnosis after spending nearly two years learning how the condition affects her health and daily life. She was diagnosed in November 2024 after routine blood tests conducted by her GP detected an issue that required further investigation.
The BBC presenter said she had experienced few obvious symptoms before her diagnosis, highlighting how the condition can sometimes go unnoticed.
Polycythaemia vera is a blood cancer in which the body produces an excessive number of red blood cells. This can make the blood thicker than usual and increase the risk of blood clots.
According to information cited in the source, people with PV can face increased risks of serious complications including stroke, heart attack and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Possible symptoms include headaches, dizziness, confusion and blurred vision. Moshiri said fatigue eventually became the most significant symptom affecting her.
Following her diagnosis, Moshiri underwent repeated venesection procedures. The treatment involves removing blood through a vein to help reduce its thickness.
She underwent seven or eight venesections over roughly five months. Moshiri said the treatment contributed to very low iron levels and left her feeling increasingly exhausted.
She later experienced severe fatigue, hair loss and widespread itching, describing exhaustion as the most difficult part of living with the condition.
The presenter subsequently received an interferon-based immunotherapy treatment through the NHS. After adjustments to her treatment, she said her health has improved considerably.
Moshiri said she had needed only one venesection during the following 15 months, compared with the much more frequent procedures during her initial treatment.
Although Moshiri said she is now feeling better than she has at any point during the past two years, she explained that the illness has forced her to make significant changes to her everyday life.
The mother of three said there have been occasions when exhaustion prevented her from attending family events or spending time playing with her children.
She also acknowledged uncertainty about how her condition may affect her in the future because PV requires ongoing monitoring and treatment.
Moshiri said people living with the condition need to remain aware of the increased risks associated with blood clots and work with medical professionals to manage those risks.
Despite dealing with the condition, Moshiri has continued her work as one of BBC News' best-known presenters.
During the period since her diagnosis, she has travelled internationally for major news assignments, including anchoring from Qatar during coverage of the US-Israel war with Iran, reporting from the Vatican following the selection of a new Pope, and travelling to Greenland during US Vice-President JD Vance's visit.
She credited her husband Jonathan, her children and supportive BBC management for helping her manage her illness alongside her professional responsibilities.
Helen Rowntree, chief executive of Blood Cancer UK, praised Moshiri for discussing her diagnosis publicly.
Rowntree said blood cancer can sometimes be difficult to identify because symptoms may be vague or difficult to notice. She also highlighted the need for continued research into treatments that are more effective and have fewer side effects.
Blood Cancer UK describes blood cancer as the UK's fifth most common cancer and third biggest cancer killer, according to the information provided in the source.
Moshiri stressed that while polycythaemia vera cannot currently be cured, treatment can help people manage the condition and maintain a relatively healthy life.
She said finding an effective treatment is important because people's experiences with the disease can vary.
PV can, in some cases, progress to myelofibrosis, another type of blood cancer. More rarely, it can develop into acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), according to Blood Cancer UK.
Moshiri said she hopes ongoing research and scientific advances will lead to further improvements in treatment for people living with blood cancers.
Maryam Moshiri has polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare blood cancer involving excessive production of red blood cells.
Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision and fatigue. Some people may have few noticeable symptoms.
Moshiri initially received venesection procedures and later began interferon treatment through the NHS, which she said improved her condition.
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