Public figure
What Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Story Can Teach Us About Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
The NBA legend shared his diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia to raise awareness. Here is what that diagnosis really means, explained calmly and simply.
Please note: this page is educational only — it is not medical advice, and it does not speculate about anyone’s health beyond reliable public reporting. For questions about your own health, talk with your healthcare team.
On screen
NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar revealed in 2009 that he had been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. He shared his diagnosis publicly to raise awareness of the disease and to encourage others to stay engaged with their own health, and he has spoken about managing the condition with ongoing medical care.
That is what was publicly shared. We do not speculate about private medical details beyond what he chose to make public, and the choices he made about his care were his own.
The reality
According to the National Cancer Institute, leukemia is a broad term for cancers of the blood cells. NCI explains that the type of leukemia depends on which kind of blood cell becomes cancer and whether the disease grows quickly (acute) or slowly (chronic). Chronic myeloid leukemia is one of the chronic, slower-growing forms and begins in myeloid cells.
In leukemia, NCI notes, abnormal white blood cells build up in the blood and bone marrow, crowding out normal blood cells. Because chronic forms tend to progress more slowly than acute forms, they can sometimes be managed over a long period with medical care.
What the story gets right — and what to remember
Abdul-Jabbar's decision to speak publicly reflects an important message: a leukemia diagnosis is serious, but chronic forms in particular are often managed over time. Every person's situation is different — the specific subtype, a person's overall health, and how the disease responds to treatment all vary. His story is a reason to learn and to stay engaged with your health, not a guide to any individual's outcome, and it is not medical advice.
Awareness, screening & prevention
NCI states that it does not have evidence-based information about screening for leukemia or about preventing it, and there is no routine screening test recommended for people without symptoms. NCI notes that leukemia occurs most often in adults older than 55. Because there is no screening test, unexplained or persistent symptoms are best discussed with a healthcare professional, who can decide whether further evaluation, such as blood tests, is appropriate.
Turning a story into something useful
A respected public figure sharing a diagnosis can encourage others to take their own health seriously. Learning what leukemia is, understanding the difference between chronic and acute forms, and knowing when to bring a symptom to a doctor are calm, practical takeaways. Sharing accurate information, and supporting free cancer education, helps this understanding reach more people.
Questions to ask a healthcare team
- What is the difference between chronic and acute leukemia?
- What does managing a chronic blood cancer typically involve?
- What symptoms should prompt me to have blood tests?
- Where can I find reliable, patient-friendly information about leukemia?