A POPULAR TV presenter broke down in tears live on air as she shared her cancer diagnosis with viewers.
Edwina Bartholomew, who hosts Australian breakfast programme Sunrise, delivered a surprise personal message on today’s show.
The 41-year-old said: “Now, a personal story to finish the bulletin.
“I have been diagnosed with cancer. That’s a shock to say, and hard to say. 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 absolutely fine.”
Edwina then began to cry as her co-host reach over and took her hand.
She first received the diagnosis in July after a routine blood test.
Explaining why she wanted to make the news public, she said: “Firstly, because everyone at home has been here for all the wonderful times, for the engagements, and the weddings and the babies, for all of us. It felt right to share this with you too. Many of you have been in similar situations or much, much worse and come out the other side stronger… and more resilient. There’s exactly what I plan to do.
“I thought I could keep it together and I will. Secondly, the reason I’m telling you is because after I turned 40, I made the decision to prioritise my health. I got a skin check after Nat had her scare. I had a mammogram after I had a few lumps – that came back all clear. I even had an eye check – 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.”
Edwina will take time away from Sunrise this month to undergo treatment, however, is already planning a staggered return to full-time work.
The brave star continued: “My life expectancy doesn’t change. I just do need to take care of myself and rest. I have reacted really well to the medication so far, which is fantastic. I have had no side effects.
“I was tired, but, hey, I get up at 3am. So, no symptoms at all. No warning signs. That’s really common with this kind of cancer, chronic myeloid leukaemia. You don’t have symptoms.
“But if I hadn’t had prioritised my health and had the check, it would be a different situation. It is a lot to wrap your head around.”
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), also known as chronic myelogenous leukemia, is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood. It is characterized by the overproduction of mature and immature myeloid cells, which are a type of white blood cell. CML typically progresses more slowly than acute forms of leukemia, such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Chronic Phase: This is the initial phase where the disease progresses slowly and symptoms may be mild or even absent. This phase can last several years with proper treatment.
Accelerated Phase: The disease progresses more rapidly, and symptoms become more pronounced. The number of abnormal cells in the blood and bone marrow increases.
Blast Crisis: This is the most advanced phase, resembling acute leukemia. There is a high number of immature white blood cells (blasts), and the disease becomes more difficult to treat.
Genetic Abnormality:
CML is often associated with a specific genetic abnormality known as the Philadelphia chromosome. This results from a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, creating a new fusion gene called BCR-ABL. This gene produces an abnormal enzyme (tyrosine kinase) that leads to uncontrolled cell growth.
Symptoms:
Fatigue
Weight loss
Night sweats
Fever
Pain or a feeling of fullness below the ribs (due to an enlarged spleen)
Easy bruising or bleeding
Frequent infections
Diagnosis:
Blood tests to check for elevated white blood cell counts.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy to examine the bone marrow.
Genetic tests to identify the Philadelphia chromosome or BCR-ABL gene.
Treatment:
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs): These drugs specifically target the BCR-ABL protein and are the primary treatment for CML. Examples include imatinib (Gleevec), dasatinib (Sprycel), and nilotinib (Tasigna).
Chemotherapy: Used less commonly but may be necessary in certain cases, especially in the accelerated or blast phase.
Stem Cell Transplant: May be considered for younger patients or those who do not respond to TKIs.
Interferon Therapy: Sometimes used as an alternative treatment.
Prognosis:
With the advent of TKIs, the prognosis for CML has significantly improved, and many patients can manage the disease effectively for many years. Regular monitoring and adherence to treatment are crucial for long-term management.
If you suspect you have symptoms of CML or have concerns about your health, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
