Harvey Weinstein's cancer diagnosis comes as he awaits retrial from jail.
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Harvey Weinstein has been diagnosed with a form of bone marrow cancer called chronic myeloid leukaemia, according to sources that claim Weinstein is receiving treatment from prison.
Weinstein’s legal health representative in New York, Craig Rothfeld has declined to comment on his diagnoses: “Out of respect for Mr. Weinstein's privacy, we will offer no further comment.”
Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein’s spokesperson has told the press that Rothfeld “expresses profound dismay at the speculation surrounding Mr Weinstein’s medical condition”.
“It is both troubling and unacceptable that such private and confidential health matters have become a subject of public discourse. Out of respect for Mr Weinstein’s privacy, we will offer no further comment,” he said.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia is a rare form of cancer that affects bone marrow and white blood cells. It is most common in people over 65 and while it develops slowly, according to the NHS website it “is usually treatable”.
Last month, 72-year-old Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for an emergency medical procedure to remove fluid from his heart and lungs after he complained of chest pains. Rothfeld later confirmed this was pericardiocentesis surgery.
The jailed producer was said to be a “train wreck” health wise earlier this year and has used a wheelchair at recent court hearings.
Weinstein is in custody at Rikers Island in New York as he awaits a retrial on 12 November after an appeals court overturned his 2020 rape and sexual assault convictions.
Weinstein was found guilty on 24 February 2020 of first-degree and third-degree rape and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
After his conviction, Weinstein left court in an ambulance, complaining of chest pains and high blood pressure. He later had a stent inserted to unblock an artery.
In April, the New York Court of Appeals overturned his 2020 conviction for rape, deeming that the judge at the trial gave improper rulings.
In September, Weinstein faced a new sex crime charge when another woman spoke out about his alleged actions against her. The unnamed woman accused him of forcing oral sex on her in a Manhattan hotel in spring 2006.
Weinstein has denied that he raped or sexually assaulted anyone.
