Imprisoned Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a rare type of bone marrow cancer. He is currently serving time in a New York prison on Rikers Island and awaiting a retrial in November.
Weinstein’s cancer diagnosis
The Guardian reported that the 72-year-old Harvey Weinstein is undergoing treatment in prison. His authorised healthcare representative, Craig Rothfeld, declined to comment citing respect for Weinstein’s privacy.
Weinstein’s spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, expressed great concern over the fact that Weinstein’s health has become a subject of public discourse. She emphasised that his health should be a private and confidential matter.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a rare type of cancer that originates in the bone marrow before spreading into the blood. It is a slow-growing type of leukemia that can become acute if not treated quickly with targeted therapy, according to the American Cancer Society.
Because CML is not as common as other blood diseases or cancers, scientists have taken years to develop, test, and streamline treatments for the cancer.
It is unclear what Weinstein’s prognosis is or how his diagnosis may impact the legal proceedings against him.
Last month, Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery, as reported by CNN, at the Bellevue Hospital in New York. Medical experts had to remove fluid from his heart and lungs after he complained of chest pains.
Rothfeld identified the medical procedure as pericardiocentesis surgery. He said Weinstein had not been feeling well for several weeks and was worsening by the day.
Weinstein’s conviction
Harvey Weinstein is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence after the court found him guilty of rape charges in California.
Authorities initially arrested him in New York City in 2018. This was after more than 80 women accused him of rape or assault the previous year.
In 2020, authorities also convicted him for raping and sexually assaulting an actress, as well as forcing sexual acts on an assistant, which led to a 23-year sentence.
A New York appeals court overturned the latter verdict in April of this year. It stated that the trial judge had erroneously allowed testimony from accusers who were not directly involved with the charges. The court has consequently scheduled a retrial for next month.
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