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Edwina Bartholomew has provided an emotional update about her heartbreaking cancer diagnosis and how it affects her daily life.
The Sunrise star, 41, revealed she had been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) – a type of blood and bone marrow cancer – live on air in September.
On Thursday, Edwina attended Marie Claire’s International Women’s Day luncheon in Sydney and told the audience how the diagnosis is continuing to impact her life.
‘I was fortunate that I had a month where I knew about it before I told everyone. I had this experience without having to go through the trauma of chemotherapy,’ Edwina began.
‘[The cancer] was a gift, because it put things into perspective… I didn’t have to go through a really intense experience of being “in” cancer and absorbed by it.’
Edwina added she was extremely grateful her symptoms were manageable and she was able to continue with most of the activities in her daily life.
Edwina Bartholomew has provided an emotional update about her heartbreaking cancer diagnosis and how it affects her daily life
‘I had a meeting with my specialist this week and I forgot to go get my blood test. So, it is not front of mind for me,’ she said.
‘I am so conscious of what a gift that is, that I have been able to continue on semi-normal… I haven’t had to tell my young kids, because I still look the same. It’s been a real re-think in slowing myself down.’
Edwina diagnosis is a ‘mild’ form of leukaemia and can often be managed without having to undergo chemotheraphy and dealing with the disease’s more severe symptoms.
The TV presenter shares two young children, Molly, five, and Tom, three, with her husband Neil Varcoe.
In September, Edwina revealed live on-air that she had been diagnosed with cancer in a tearful admission.
‘I have been diagnosed with cancer. That’s a shock and hard to say,’ she told viewers.
‘It is a really good kind. It is called chronic myeloid leukaemia. It can be treated with a daily tablet. If I can take care of myself, I will be completely fine.’
The veteran TV star then began to break down in tears before telling the audience: ‘I thought I could keep it together.’
The Sunrise star, 41, revealed that she had been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) – a type of blood and bone marrow cancer – live on air in September
On Thursday, Edwina attended Marie Claire’s International Women’s Day luncheon in Sydney and told the audience how the diagnosis is continuing to impact her life
Edwina went on to reveal her co-star Natalie Barr was to thank for her getting diagnosed as quickly as she had been.
Nat had her own cancer scare in June, after a routine skin check uncovered skin cancer on her nose, which persuaded Edwina to undergo a full health check at her own doctors.
‘I had a mammogram after I had a few lumps. That came back all clear. I even had an eye check,’ she explained.
‘That’s fine. But my doctor sent me to get routine blood tests at the same time, one of those tests came back with levels out of whack.
‘I feel lucky and I wanted to share this with you for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because everyone at home and here has been here for all the wonderful times, for the engagements, the weddings and the babies, for all of us.’
The Seven star found out about her shock diagnosis in July and kept it secret from the public, telling only a few friends at work.
According to Mayo Clinic, CML is an uncommon type of cancer in the bone marrow and is very slow to progress.
Advances in treatment have improved the prognosis of people with CML and most people diagnosed with it can achieve remission and live for many years.
