R&B singer Nivea is celebrating a major health victory after revealing that her leukemia is now in remission, just months after receiving a life-changing cancer diagnosis.
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The 44-year-old singer became emotional during the October 7 episode of “The Tamron Hall Show,” where she appeared alongside her oncologist, Dr. Colin Vale, to discuss her treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
When Hall shared the remission news with the audience, Nivea fought back tears.
“I’m very grateful,” she said.
The “Don’t Mess With My Man” singer admitted she “couldn’t believe” the progress because her diagnosis had come only months earlier.
Although she knew the reported success rate of her medication, Nivea acknowledged that “everybody’s different” when responding to cancer treatment.
The positive news does not mean her health journey has been easy. Nivea described ongoing physical challenges, including exhaustion, bleeding, and uterine fibroids.
“It’s been an adjustment, like the symptoms,” she explained. “I’m tired a lot. I have other issues. I’m bleeding. I have fibroids. It’s a long little list, but I’m still on the better side than most. I’m not complaining… I’m not complaining at all.”
Nivea is participating in a clinical trial involving targeted medication. Her medical team has continued monitoring her bloodwork to determine how well the treatment is working.
Nivea first publicly revealed her leukemia diagnosis in July during an appearance on “Cadillac Chronicles.”
“Well, first of all, I was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year, and I’m so grateful to God. I’ve been going through treatment, and everything is going great so far. And I expect it to continue. Amen, amen, amen,” she shared.
Days later, her representative confirmed to PEOPLE that she had been diagnosed with CML in early 2026.
“I was diagnosed with CML in early 2026,” Nivea explained. “As incredibly surprised as I was to have the diagnosis confirmed after [two] (because the [first] one wasn’t successful), bone marrow biopsy procedures, I was profoundly thankful that it wasn’t Blast [blastoma]. Which would have meant chemotherapy as part of the treatment.”
She said it “was a relief” but also “puzzling” to learn the disease was not hereditary and that she had done nothing to “cause” it.
“Life for me has changed in various ways, but treatment thus far is working,” she continued. “Taking it day by day with a positive mindset [and] a heart full of gratitude! I’m blessed with the ability to still do what I love—music, continue to mother my children, and learn new skills that fuel me! I am and have been very blessed in this life and won’t ever take it for granted.”
She concluded her statement with another message of appreciation.
“A tremendous thank you to everyone for the love [and] prayers.”
Beyond Nivea’s encouraging update, her diagnosis brings attention to a serious blood cancer that many people know little about.
According to the American Cancer Society, chronic myeloid leukemia develops in the bone marrow, where the body produces blood cells. The disease causes abnormal white blood cells to multiply uncontrollably, eventually crowding out healthy cells.
Unlike more aggressive forms of leukemia, CML usually progresses slowly during its earliest phase. However, untreated disease can advance into a more dangerous stage known as blast phase.
The National Cancer Institute explains that advanced CML can interfere with healthy blood cell production, increasing the risk of anemia, infections, and bleeding.
One reason CML can be difficult to recognize is that its early warning signs are often mistaken for everyday health problems.
According to the American Cancer Society’s symptom guidelines, symptoms can include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, fever, abdominal fullness, and unusual bruising or bleeding. Some patients experience no noticeable symptoms before abnormal blood test results lead to further investigation.
CML is associated with an acquired genetic change known as the Philadelphia chromosome, which produces an abnormal gene called BCR::ABL1. The American Cancer Society confirms this change is not inherited from parents, and its cause remains unknown in most patients.
Modern treatment has significantly improved the outlook for people diagnosed with the disease.
Doctors commonly prescribe targeted medications called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which block signals responsible for leukemia cell growth. According to the American Cancer Society, these medications can keep CML controlled for years, although many patients require ongoing treatment and monitoring.
Importantly, remission does not automatically mean a patient is permanently cured.
For Black women, Nivea’s experience also raises questions about access to specialized cancer care, recognition of symptoms, and treatment disparities.
A 2024 study presented in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, examining nearly 45,000 CML patients, found that Black patients experienced lower overall survival than White patients after researchers adjusted for several factors. Insurance status was also strongly associated with survival.
Those findings do not establish that Black women are more likely to develop CML. They do underscore concerns about unequal outcomes among patients managing the same disease.
A separate 2025 study published in JAMA Network Open found that CML patients whose oncologists shared their gender, or both their gender and racial or ethnic identity, demonstrated better adherence to prescribed treatment. Researchers emphasized the potential importance of trust, communication, and strong patient relationships.
Nivea’s disclosure about fibroids is another significant part of the conversation for Black women.
According to July 2026 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12.5% of non-Hispanic Black women ages 20 to 49 reported having been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, compared with 7.1% of non-Hispanic White women.
Fibroids are noncancerous growths that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and anemia. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also notes that fibroids often develop earlier and grow more quickly in Black women.
Although Nivea mentioned bleeding, fatigue, and fibroids while discussing leukemia treatment, she has not publicly established exactly what is causing each symptom. Both blood disorders and fibroids can contribute to bleeding or anemia, making proper medical evaluation essential.
Her experience serves as a reminder that persistent exhaustion, unusual bleeding, or unexplained changes in the body deserve medical attention rather than being dismissed as ordinary stress or aging.
For now, Nivea’s remission marks a meaningful step forward. Her willingness to speak openly about cancer treatment, continued symptoms, and the realities of living with CML also brings visibility to health concerns that deserve more attention, especially among Black women navigating multiple medical challenges at once.
