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Abdul-Jabbar Has Cancer

NBA legend goes public with leukemia diagnosis

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 10, 2009 5:37 AM CST

(Newser) – Los Angeles Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is being treated for a rare form of leukemia, he announced today. The 62-year-old was diagnosed a year ago and doctors hope he will be able to live a full and active life with the proper treatment. Abdul-Jabbar said he decided to go public with the diagnosis to raise awareness of the blood cancer and persuade fellow sufferers to take their health seriously, People reports.

"I'm telling my story to encourage fellow patients to take charge of their health," he said. "Work closely with your doctor, monitor your disease and, above all, take your medicine."

[Images (2)]

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles during the opening of the Lakers Reading & Learning Center in Santa Monica, Calif. last year. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Former NBA basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar attends the grand opening of the Conga Room at LA Live on December 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images)

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Having lost one of my closest friends to a different, highly aggressive form of leukemia, I knew how serious my diagnosis was. My own life expectancy became a question mark. - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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Abdul-Jabbar Has Cancer