The famous BBC narrator, Lauren Laverne, has announced that she has been diagnosed with smouldering myeloma, a condition that affects the blood and bone marrow. Announcing the details on Friday, the presenter of Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs and Radio 6 Music reported that the condition is currently smouldering and the overall risk is low that it will become an active blood cancer.
This diagnosis is quite recent after Laverne became a survivor of cancer when she received an early all-clear and early diagnosis in 2024. Laverne explained on Instagram that it was important for her to make a statement for the purpose of helping others. Additionally, she stated that this specific diagnosis is not connected in any way to her cancer or to her other recent surgeries.
As stated by medical specialists and supportive organisations, care of the blood cancer type is considered to be an early, precursor stage and is classified as smouldering myeloma. Myeloma is a blood cancer that affects the plasma cells of bone marrow. Generally, when this type of disorder does not present symptoms or damage other organs, the patient is not required to start treatment. Rather, patients are monitored as part of an active monitoring process.
Laverne confirmed that she is feeling fine and doesn’t need to start treatment. However, smouldering myeloma is a chronic condition, and there is no cure. With her situation, her immune system is slightly weakened. In her ongoing healthcare plan, she will be monitored by medical professionals with regular check-ups and diagnostic measures including blood tests, MRIs, and bone marrow biopsies.
An early diagnosis was credited to her GP investigating her persistently low iron and referring her to a haematologist. Many in Laverne’s age group are unaware that they also have a haematological malignancy. The condition is often diagnosed in cancer survivors when they are undergoing the post-recovery routine medical checks.
Laverne’s announcement was met with considerable support from the general public and her colleagues, as well as various medical charities. The active monitoring by haematologists is a safety-first, highly evidence-based practice with blood cancer.
Laverne is taking a short two-week broadcasting sabbatical. Blood cancer patients in the UK are undergoing monitoring for the same condition due to the high incidence of haematological malignancies.