Horror detail in Sunrise star’s health crisis

Sunrise news reader Edwina Bartholomew has revealed on air that she had no symptoms when she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in July.

A doctor sent the news reader for routine blood tests when one came back that was “out of whack”, revealing Bartholomew had cancer.

CML is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, according to the Leukaemia Foundation.

It occurs when too many white cells are produced by the bone marrow. Over time the cells interfere with normal blood cell production, crowding the bone marrow.

“They spill out of the bone marrow and circulate around the body in the bloodstream,” the Leukaemia Foundation states on its website.

“Because they are not fully mature, they are unable to work properly to fight infections.”

More than 90 per cent of people diagnosed with CML catch the cancer in the early chronic phase when most people are well and have few symptoms.

A Leukaemia Foundation spokesperson said most patients receiving treatment would have an excellent response.

While CML can occur at any age, it is most common in people aged over 40, which account for 70 per cent of cases.

CML is more common in men than women and the cancer is rarely diagnosed in children.

About 330 Australians are diagnosed with CML each year, which is about 0.03 per cent of all cancers diagnosed.

Bartholomew, 41, said it was a shock and difficult thing to say when she revealed the news with Sunrise viewers on Friday.

“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,” she said.

Bartholomew decided to share her health battle with the audience for a couple of reasons, saying it felt like the right thing to do after “everyone at home” had been there for all the wonderful moments in her life.

“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,” she said.

“After I turned 40 I made the decision to prioritise my health.

“I got a skin check after Nat (colleague Natalie Barr) 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.”