BBC Presenter Maryam Moshiri Reveals Diagnosis of Incurable Blood Cancer

BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri has revealed that she is living with polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare and incurable form of blood cancer. Moshiri, who is 49 years old, was diagnosed in November 2024 after her GP identified the condition through routine blood tests. While the disease cannot be cured, it can be managed effectively with treatment. Polycythaemia vera causes the body to produce too many red blood cells, which thickens the blood and increases the risk of blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, or deep vein thrombosis. Estimates of the number of people living with the disease in Britain vary between 8,000 and 15,000.

Moshiri described her experience as living with a silent or hidden cancer. She reported experiencing symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, night sweats, and extreme fatigue, which she compared to having her batteries taken out. Her treatment has included daily aspirin and venesection, a process where blood is removed from a vein to reduce thickness. She later transitioned to a weekly injection called Pegasys. Moshiri stated that she intends to continue her work as a journalist and is sharing her story to raise awareness for the charity Blood Cancer UK.

Outlets with different political leanings framed the story with varying focuses. Center-left sources emphasized the medical symptoms and the chronic nature of the disease. The center source focused on Moshiri's resilience and the fact that she is not going to die from the condition. The center-right source highlighted a past viral incident involving an obscene gesture and provided more specific details regarding her family life and international reporting assignments.