Edwina Bartholomew has thanked Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr for pushing her to get tested for cancer and ultimately discover her disease, and is now encouraging all Australians to get tested if they feel something is wrong.
The TV star, 41, fought back tears on Friday’s show as she admitted: ‘I’ve been diagnosed with cancer.
“It’s a shock to say and it’s hard to say,” she continued, her voice breaking with emotion.
“He’s a really good guy. It’s called chronic myeloid leukemia. It’s treatable with one pill a day. If I can take care of myself, I’ll be fine.”
Edwina Bartholomew, 41, revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer in an emotional confession on Friday’s Sunrise show. Pictured left, she is with co-star Natalie Barr.
While chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, can be controlled, it can become very serious if left untreated.
Edwina revealed that her co-star Barr had her to thank for getting him diagnosed quickly.
Barr, 56, had a similar scare in June when she was diagnosed with skin cancer on her nose, and spoke about it on Sunrise at the time.
“I had a pimple on my nose that wouldn’t go away, plus I think it had been a couple of years since I’d had a skin check, so I went to the dermatologist,” Barr told viewers, in a segment that showed her visiting a clinic to seek treatment.
“He said it was skin cancer, a little spot on my nose. The good thing is that I caught it very early and there’s not much treatment,” she said.
Barr shared her story to inspire others to get checked, and moments after the segment aired, Bartholomew picked up her phone and scheduled her own appointment.
A month later, in July, Bartholomew received her shocking diagnosis. She decided to keep it private and only told a few close friends at work.
In June, Bartholomew had picked up his phone to book an appointment, after Nat Barr revealed his cancer scare.
Nat Barr’s routine skin check discovered skin cancer on her nose, and she spoke about it on Sunrise at the time.
“I had a mammogram after I developed some lumps and the results were normal. I even had an eye exam. That’s fine. But my doctor sent me for routine blood tests at the same time,” Edwina continued.
‘One of those tests showed unbalanced levels.
‘I feel very, very lucky and I wanted to share this with you for a couple of reasons.
‘First of all, because all of us here at home have been there for all the wonderful moments, the engagements, the weddings and the babies, all of us. It seemed right to share this with you too.
“Many of you have been in similar or much worse situations and have come out stronger… and more resilient. That’s exactly what I plan to do.”
Edwina said the other reason she wanted to share her sad news was because she wanted to encourage others to get tested.
“In particular, mothers who are always taking care of others, please take care of yourself as well and consult your doctor,” she said.
She thanked all of her castmates for their support, singling out Natalie in particular “for constantly checking in and (providing) all the meals as well.”
Edwina then nodded towards her colleagues Monique Wright and Sally Bowrey “who change their family commitments so I can look after mine.”
After thanking her bosses at Sunrise, Edwina revealed to viewers that she will be “taking some time off in September” before scaling back her work at Sunrise.
The TV star broke down as she admitted on air: “I was diagnosed with cancer. I thought I could keep it together.”
The former Dancing With The Stars co-host said she will reduce her work responsibilities to just a few days a week on Sunrise when she returns.
“Despite appearances, I feel very positive about it. Honestly, it is the worst misfortune that has ever happened to me in my life,” she assured viewers.
“I’m beyond grateful to have found it, and beyond grateful that it’s the best case scenario.”
Natalie, understanding, held Edwina’s hand during her announcement.
“The first thing we want to say is that we are very sorry that you had to go through this, but as you say, the treatment is quite good. Tell us about it,” Natalie said.
Edwina pulled herself together and explained: “We are very lucky. I can literally take one pill a day. My life expectancy doesn’t change.”
Edwina’s sad news soon attracted dozens of messages from supporters.
“I just need to take care of myself and rest. We’re incredibly lucky to have access to that in this country, and that’s the type (of cancer) I have.
I’ve also been reacting very well to the medication so far, which is fantastic. I have no side effects.
Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington chimed in with his own words of support, saying: ‘Eddie, like everything you tackle, you’ve taken it very positively.
“I know it’s a weird thing to say, but you did it. You reached out to us personally. You told us about this journey you’re about to embark on.”
Edwina’s sad news soon attracted messages from supporters.
“All the love and hugs Eddie. We’re with you,” wrote The Project’s Georgie Tunny.
“You can do it, queen,” commented TV presenter Jacqueline Felgate.
Bartholomew seen here at the Logies Awards in Sydney last month
“Sending you lots of love Eddy xxx,” Erin Holland added.
Meanwhile, one Sunrise viewer was left devastated by the news.
“I’m still crying. What a surprise,” the fan began.
‘My 17-year-old son came running in and asked me why I was crying. Eddie, we love you. You can do it and we can help you!’
“Sending all my love to you and your immediate and extended family. You are an incredibly strong woman.
“I always thought that way, but you’ve confirmed why I and many others know it. Take care, Eddie. We love you.”
“We are praying for you and your entire family as they support you,” wrote another.
According Mayo ClinicChronic myeloid leukemia is a rare type of bone marrow cancer and its progression is very slow.
Various symptoms may occur, such as bone pain, fatigue, fever, weight loss, blurred vision, and loss of appetite, among others.
Edwina revealed that she suffered from very few of these symptoms, the main one being fatigue, which she attributed to waking up at 3am every day to go to work.
Advances in treatment have improved the prognosis for people with CML and most people diagnosed with the disease can achieve remission and live for many years.
The veteran Seven star has children Molly, four, and Thomas, two, with her husband of six years, Neil Varcoe.