Lauren Laverne, a 48-year-old BBC presenter, has revealed that she has been diagnosed with a chronic condition called smouldering myeloma.
Smouldering myeloma is an asymptomatic blood and bone marrow disorder that, in some people, can develop into blood cancer. Thankfully for Laverne, the risk of this happening in her case is low.
She shared the news with her followers on Instagram, explaining that she feels okay at the moment and doesn't need treatment. Laverne noted that most people her age who have the condition are unaware of it, and it tends to be cancer survivors like herself who are diagnosed early due to regular monitoring.
The broadcaster emphasized that her previous illness and recent surgery have nothing to do with the diagnosis, which she described as one of those things. She added that there is no cure for the condition and that her immune system is a bit compromised.
As a result, Laverne will be closely monitored with regular blood tests, MRIs, and bone marrow biopsies. She joked that the latter are even less fun than they sound.
Laverne chose to share her diagnosis with the public, citing the example of others in the public eye who have coped with similar situations. She received well-wishes from friends and fans, including Jessie Ware, Dr Amir Khan, and Jamz Supernova.
In a post that sparked support and encouragement, Laverne reflected on her past experiences, including her cancer diagnosis and recovery in August 2024. Though she has faced difficult times, she emphasized that she has learned more from them than some people do in a lifetime.
Laverne has announced that she will take a couple of weeks' holiday before returning to work as normal.
