Maryam Moshiri’s rare blood cancer can be easy to miss — here are the early symptoms

Maryam Moshiri is a well-known BBC presenter who has opened up about her cancer journey (Picture: Simon Ackerman/Getty Images) BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri revealed she has been diagnosed with a rare incurable form of blood cancer called polycythaemia vera (PV). Having spent 23 years as a newsreader for the broadcaster, she’s become a mainstay on British screens throughout her illustrious career, but Maryam also captured the nation’s hearts when she accidentally gave the middle finger to the screen live on air back in 2023, and the ‘private joke’ quickly went viral. The news anchor was sadly diagnosed with PV in November 2024 after a routine blood test, but has just this week shared her battle with cancer openly ‘to raise awareness’. ‘It’s been two years since my diagnosis and I’ve felt that I’ve started to understand the disease a lot better and the way it affects my life. I’ve got a handle on it to a degree now,’ she said. ‘I’m going to have to spend the rest of my life being treated for this.’ Around 1,140 people are diagnosed with PV annually in the UK, with the average age at diagnosis being 60 years old. It typically affects those middle-aged and above. Like Maryam, PV cases can be discovered by accident, while a blood test is screening for something else, so here’s everything you need to know. Polycythaemia vera (PV) is a slow-growing blood cancer where your body makes too many red blood cells, causing your blood to be thicker than normal. Maryam Moshiri is opening up about her treatment for PV (Picture: X) It’s also common for people with PV to have abnormally high levels of white blood cells and platelets, which also makes you blood thicken. Then it becomes difficult for your blood to flow freely around your body and get where it needs to go. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Things can get confusing because it is sometimes called polycythaemia rubra vera (PRV) and primary polycythaemia, but these are all the same condition. PV is part of a group of rare blood cancers called myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Disorders in this group all produce too many of a certain blood cell. But, Polycythaemia vera isn’t like breast cancer or lung cancer, because the main risk is from blood clots. In turn, these can cause life-threatening problems like strokes, heart attacks or angina, deep vein thrombosis, or a pulmonary embolism in the lungs. What are the first symptoms of polycythaemia vera? This type of blood cancer can be elusive, so not everyone will have symptoms when they are diagnosed with PV. Some people are diagnosed following a routine blood test for something else, but there are some signs that could point to having this type of blood cancer. You might get headaches, be confused or dizzy, experience night sweats or noticeable itching. Your eyes could also be affected, meaning you get blurred vision, red-looking eyes, as well as feeling extremely tired. Red eyes and blurred vision can be symptoms of PV (Picture: Getty Images) Heavy periods, nose bleeds or even bruising easily could also be symptoms, as well as red-looking skin. Internally, a swollen spleen could leave you feeling very full after eating only a small amount, or you could suffer with gout which gives you painful joints. However, you’ll also need to be aware of symptoms of thrombosis, which you’re at increased risk for with PV. These include: slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, drooping on one side of your face, sudden chest pain, dizziness and feeling short of breath, one leg or arm becoming painful, swollen and warm, or coughing up blood. Other types of cancer can also cause high levels of red blood cells, so you’ll need multiple blood tests to confirm it is indeed PV. What is the life expectancy of someone with polycythaemia vera? While Polycythaemia vera doesn’t have a cure, it can be managed very effectively and you can live a relatively normal life. Many people with the disease actually have near-normal lifespans, as long as their condition is monitored. Treatments may vary depending on your age and whether you have any other conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, but many people will be given a daily dose of aspirin (pain relief) to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Maryam also underwent multiple venesections where blood is drawn, and because it takes longer to make red blood cells, it then takes a while for your blood to become too thick again. Fatigue can be a symptom of the rare blood cancer (Picture: Getty Images) Can it cause other types of blood cancer? In rare cases, PV can develop into acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which progresses quickly and is very aggressive. Chemotherapy is the main treatment and needs to start quickly, but radiotherapy and a bone marrow or stem cell transplant may also be required. Deals of the Day Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 Around 40% of those diagnosed will survive a year or more after diagnosis, so if you have symptoms like breathlessness, frequent infections, bleeding gums or bruising, weight loss or fatigue it’s worth going for a check up. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Two Strictly Come Dancing stars ‘suffer injuries at same time’ in rehearsals Arrow MORE: Richard Osman accidentally reveals Celebrity Traitors season 2 launch date Arrow MORE: Casualty’s biggest stars revealed as show celebrates 40 years – including Kate Winslet and Danny Dyer The Slice Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.