Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Has Cancer

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who happens to be one of the best basketball players of all time, announced Tuesday that he has cancer.

He revealed that he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia about a year ago.

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

Abdul-Jabbar, 62, was diagnosed with CML in December 2008 and is currently being treated with a medicine that targets the abnormal protein that causes his leukemia.

The father of five is expected to live a full and active life during his treatment.

"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."

We wish him full recovery!