Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's "Message of Hope"
Battling Rare Form of Leukemia, Basketball Legend Says He Intends to "Continue Living"
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Play CBS Video Video Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Leukemia NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar spoke with Jeff Greenfield about his recently-diagnosed Leukemia.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks to CBS News' Jeff Greenfield (CBS)
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"I started having hot flashes and sweats," Kareem Abdul-Jabbar told CBS News correspondent Jeff Greenfield. "And I wasn't a candidate for menopause, you know? So, trying to figure out what that was all about."
In the middle of a busy life - best-selling author, special coach for the L.A. Lakers, parent - Abdul-Jabbar learned last December that he had a rare form of cancer.
"What I have is P.H. positive chronic myeloid leukemia, which is an aberration in your white blood cells," Abdul-Jabbar said.
Watch an Extended Version of this Interview
Abdul-Jabbar lost a grandfather to colon cancer and almost lost his father to the same illness. But for Abdul-Jabbar, the news was a lot less grim.
"Ten years ago, this was a very serious, life-threatening diagnosis," said Dr. Michael Schuster of New York Presbyterian Hospital. "The only treatment was a bone marrow transplant. Patients now take a pill a day and can eliminate every molecular trace of the disease."
That hopeful diagnosis is why Abdul-Jabbar is now using his high visibility to go public about his illness.
"Sending this message out there, it's a message of hope. That's what it's intended to be," Abdul-Jabbar said. "It's not intended to be just a grim announcement. I want people to understand that I intend to continue living and doing all the things that I love to do up until the end. And the end is by no means rushing up on me."
For additional information about chronic myeloid leukemia:
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The Mayo Clinic
The National Cancer Institute
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- hallo my broth kareem my name is elamin i like to help u .and u will be fine my brother my name is elamin iam from sudan i life in germany try 2 call me plz.00491721603962
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- I wish you well, you got "Class" Mr. Kareem.
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- Thank You Kareem for your message of hope. I was diagnosed a year and half ago with CML. Your positive resolve is not only heartfelt it gives us hope.
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