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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has been battling cancer for nearly a year.

The current Lakers coach was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in December 2008 after having hot flashes and sweats. His blood work revealed that his white blood cell count was “sky high,” he said. Now taking medication for the blood disease, he is expected to have a regular life span.

“When the doctor told me I had cancer, I was scared,” said Abdul-Jabbar. “My grandfather and my uncle both died from colorectal cancer, my dad almost died from it and I have the gene for it. It’s in my family, so I thought this was something else along those lines, but it’s not.”

“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.”

The NBA Hall-Of-Famer is now coming forward with his ilness because he knows many people skip treatments and medication.

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

Abdul-Jabbar retired as a player in 1989 and now serves as the Lakers’ special assistant coach.