BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri reveals two-year battle with incurable blood cancer polycythaemia vera

BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri (搜索)搜索该疾病 has revealed that she has been living with an incurable blood cancer for the past two years, sharing her experience in an interview with The Times. The 49-year-old, who presents The World Today and has reported from the coronation of King Charles, the papal conclave, and Eurovision, received her diagnosis of polycythaemia vera (搜索)搜索该疾病 (PV) in November 2024 and has continued working throughout her treatment.

Polycythaemia vera (搜索)搜索该疾病 is a rare type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and makes the blood thicker than normal. The disorder causes the bone marrow to constantly produce red blood cells. If left untreated, the condition can lead to blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks. Doctors describe Moshiri's disorder as a chronic condition that can be managed, rather than a rapidly deteriorating illness.

Moshiri is younger than most people diagnosed with the condition. The average age of diagnosis is 60 years old, and approximately 15,000 people in Britain have polycythaemia vera (搜索)搜索该疾病. Survival outlook varies by age: people over 60 can typically survive for another 14 years with the disease, while those under 60 can survive for another 24 years.

Treatment and its toll

Moshiri's treatment involves having blood removed to reduce the concentration of red blood cells, a procedure that leaves her exhausted. She described the impact on her family life, telling The Times: "During my worst times when I was going through really quite gruelling treatment, I wasn't there for my kids. I'd be lying on the sofa, and my son would say, 'mummy, can you come play football with me in the garden?' And you just can't. You're too tired."

Despite the chronic tiredness and fatigue, Moshiri has maintained her demanding schedule. She was sent to Rome for two weeks in April 2025 to cover the death of Pope Francis and the ensuing conclave, shortly after her diagnosis. "I was working 14-hour days, constantly on air, constantly having to think on my feet, and holding it together, despite the fact that I had this chronic tiredness and fatigue," she said. "When you're doing live news, you have this rush of adrenaline, and you just have to get on with it."

She added: "I love what I do. I love being where the story is. I don't want to allow blood cancer to stop me from doing my work."

Raising awareness

Moshiri, a mother to three children aged 13, 11, and 9, is now backing a new campaign called "Here for This" by Blood Cancer UK查看公司主页. The campaign aims to highlight how the disease impacts everyday life and family moments, and the things that sufferers miss due to illness.

According to statistics from Blood Cancer UK查看公司主页, more than 310,000 people are living with or in remission from blood cancer in the UK.