2 hrs ago
BBC Presenter Maryam Moshiri Reveals Life With Silent Blood Cancer
Maryam Moshiri is a television news presenter who learned from a routine test that she had a blood cancer called polycythaemia vera.
She felt healthy when doctors found it, so the diagnosis was a big surprise.
The condition makes her bone marrow produce too many red blood cells.
There is no cure yet, but treatments can help control it and lower serious risks.
Some treatments made Maryam extremely tired and caused other difficult side effects.
She kept working, caring for her children and helping her parents while feeling unwell.
In November 2025, she changed to a weekly medicine called Pegasys, which caused fewer side effects.
Maryam is telling her story so other people with blood cancer feel less alone and know that support and new treatments are available.
Maryam Moshiri was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera in November 2024 after a routine blood test showed unusually high red blood cell levels.
The chronic blood cancer initially caused no symptoms, but treatment led to severe fatigue, headaches, insomnia and intense itching.
Moshiri continued presenting BBC news coverage while managing treatment side effects and responsibilities to her three children and elderly parents.
After changing treatment to weekly Pegasys injections in November 2025, she reported fewer side effects and was able to resume activities such as yoga and playing with her children.
Moshiri is sharing her experience during Blood Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and encourage people with blood cancer to seek support.
- Who
- BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri, who has polycythaemia vera, alongside Blood Cancer UK.
- What
- Moshiri has publicly described her diagnosis, treatment difficulties and recovery of some everyday activities.
- Where
- The diagnosis and treatment took place in the United Kingdom; Moshiri presented BBC news programmes while managing the condition.
- When
- She was diagnosed in November 2024 and changed treatment in November 2025; she is sharing her story during Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
- Why
- She wants to challenge misunderstandings about chronic blood cancer, help others feel less isolated and encourage people to seek support.
Key facts
- Condition
- Polycythaemia vera, a rare chronic blood cancer in which the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells.
- Diagnosis
- November 2024, following a routine blood test.
- Symptoms at diagnosis
- Moshiri said she had no symptoms when the condition was detected.
- Initial treatment
- Daily aspirin and regular venesections were used to reduce red blood cell levels.
- Treatment side effects
- She reported severe fatigue, headaches, insomnia and intense itching.
- Current treatment
- She began weekly Pegasys injections in November 2025 and said they were more manageable.
- UK prevalence
- Blood Cancer UK says around 8,810 people in the UK are living with polycythaemia vera.
Quotes
Maryam Moshiri
BBC presenter discussing her polycythaemia vera diagnosis
“When I told my daughters I had chronic cancer, they asked, ‘Are you going to die, mummy?’ It was awful.”
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“I want people to know there is hope, with new treatments and progress being made all the time.”
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Sources
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