BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri reveals blood cancer diagnosis

Maryam Moshiri, a 49-year-old presenter for BBC News, has disclosed her battle with polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare yet manageable form of blood cancer that remains incurable. Joining the BBC in 2003, Moshiri aims to raise awareness about her condition, which was diagnosed in November 2024 after her GP identified anomalies in standard blood tests. Her initial treatment included several venesections, resulting in fatigue, hair loss, and itching. Subsequently, she started interferon immunotherapy via the NHS, leading to a significant improvement—now requiring only one venesection in 15 months. Moshiri continues to report on significant events, including the US-Israel war with Iran and the papal selection. She appreciates the support from her husband Jonathan, her children, and BBC management. Helen Rowntree, CEO of Blood Cancer UK, expressed gratitude for Moshiri's openness, highlighting that blood cancer ranks as the fifth most prevalent cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK. Moshiri stresses the importance of managing the disease and expresses hope for future research breakthroughs.