Edwina Bartholomew's classy call to action
<p>As a regular on <em>Sunrise</em>, Edwina Bartholomew is used to sharing stories with Australians every morning. But recently, she shared something far more personal: a story about her own health.</p>
<p>“I have cancer,” she revealed, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/sunrise-star-announces-cancer-diagnosis-live-on-air" target="_blank" rel="noopener">live on Seven's popular morning program</a>. The diagnosis? Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), a form of cancer she can manage with a daily tablet, giving her a good prognosis. But it's what she did next that was so classy and impressive.</p>
<p>After the show went to air, Edwina <a href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/sunrise-star-edwina-bartholomew-reveals-cancer-diagnosis-in-bid-to-make-sure-mums-put-health-first--c-15951518" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published a statement on 7News</a> that gave more detail on her circumstances, including how she came to discover her condition and why she chose to share the news the way she did. </p>
<p>“It’s the luckiest unlucky thing to ever happen to me,” Edwina wrote, but her diagnosis also served as a wake-up call – one that she believes many other women, particularly mums, might need to hear.</p>
<p>For Edwina, it all began with a decision many mothers know all too well: the choice to put everyone else’s needs first. "Although I’d been to the doctor for snotty noses and inexplicable toddler rashes many times, I hadn’t been to see a GP for myself since I was pregnant with my son – more than two years ago," she wrote.</p>
<p>Sound familiar? As mums, it’s so easy to focus on the demands of children, work and home, while neglecting their own well-being. But Edwina’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, it’s not just about juggling it all – it’s about making time for yourself before life demands it.</p>
<p>Her diagnosis came after a series of small but pivotal moments. She recalled how her four-year-old daughter, Molly, jumped on her, causing discomfort that made her realise she hadn’t truly focused on her own health in years. This led her to take the important step of scheduling a doctor’s appointment, where routine blood work revealed irregularities. Although a mammogram came back clear, the blood test results were anything but.</p>
<p>From that moment, life changed in a whirlwind. Within days, Edwina was in hospital undergoing a bone marrow biopsy and starting treatment. But what’s perhaps most surprising – and relatable – is that, like so many mums, she almost didn’t make it to that crucial blood test. “It took me another month to pop into a pathology clinic," she wrote. "You know how it is; work to do, the house to clean, the laundry to do, the dinner to cook. I was busy.”</p>
<p>That delay is something many women can relate to. They prioritise families, jobs and the never-ending to-do list, but at what cost?</p>
<p>Edwina's story is a call to action for mums to stop delaying their own self-care. And she wanted to deliver that call to action in the strongest way possible; not through an interview, but through her own clear words.</p>
<p>"I didn’t want to be interviewed and I didn’t want a sad photo of me here," she wrote. "That’s why you are reading my words, accompanied by a photo of my happy little family."</p>
<p>“It was important to me to tell you my story because I suspect there are quite a few people out there suffering from a not-so-healthy dose of benign neglect, particularly mums like me," Edwina explained. "We often take care of everyone else in our family and forget to put on our own oxygen mask first.”</p>
<p>Edwina’s words are a reminder that it’s essential to look after yourself – not as a last resort, but as a priority. Regular check-ups, preventative tests and simply listening to your body can make all the difference.</p>
<p>The experience has clearly reshaped Edwina’s outlook on life. “What is clear from the past few months is that I need to dramatically change things,” she wrote. While she’ll still appear on <em>Sunrise</em>, she’s decided to cut back her work schedule, take breaks and spend more time with her family – genuinely focusing on her health and well-being.</p>
<p>Her advice to other mums is clear: “If this sounds familiar to you, maybe it’s time to check in on your health as well.”</p>
<p>This is a timely reminder that mums must take care of themselves first. As Edwina’s journey has shown, early detection and self-care are key.</p>
<p>Make that appointment, get that check-up and take a moment to breathe.</p>
<p>Your health is worth it – because if you don’t look after yourself, you can’t fully look after the ones you love.</p>
<p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>
