Edwina Bartholomew is set to take on a shock new role at Channel Seven, just two months after she publicly revealed her heartbreaking cancer diagnosis.
The Sunrise reporter, 41, is rumoured to be shifting from her long held role at the Seven breakfast show and move into a role at the network’s Sydney newsroom.
Her shift into the news department is said to be dependant on when veteran newsreader Ann Sanders, 64, announces her retirement, reports news.com.au.
The proposed move is also said to make things easier for Edwina, who would no longer have to wake up at 4am to get ready for work, as she continues to battle a mild form of leukaemia.
In September, Edwina revealed on-air 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 sadly told viewers.
Edwina Bartholomew (pictured) is set to take on a shock new role at Channel Seven, just two months after she publicly revealed her heartbreaking cancer diagnosis
‘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 weep before telling the audience: ‘I thought I could keep it together.’
Edwina went on to reveal her co-star Natalie Barr was to thank for her getting diagnosed as quickly as she had been – Her colleague had her own cancer scare in June, after a routine skin check uncovered skin cancer on her nose.
Concerned about her own health, Edwina visited her doctor for a mammogram, blood tests and a skin check – before discovering the harrowing news.
‘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,’ Edwina continued.
‘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 Sunrise reporter, 41, is rumoured to be shifting from her long held role at the Seven breakfast show and move into a role at the network’s Sydney newsroom
Her shift into the nightly newsroom is said to be dependant on when veteran newsreader Ann Sanders (pictured) announces her retirement, reports news.com.au
‘It felt right to share…’ she said.
‘Many of you have been in similar situations or worse and come out the other side stronger… and more resilient. That’s exactly what I plan to do.’
Edwina said the other reason she wished to share her news was to encourage others to prioritise their health as well.
‘Please, particularly for mums who always take care of everyone else, please take care of yourself. And just check in with your doctor,’ she said.
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.
She thanked all her co-stars for their support, singling out Natalie in particular ‘for constantly checking in and [providing] all the meals as well’.
After thanking the crew at Sunrise, Edwina revealed to viewers that she will be ‘taking time off in September’ before cutting down on her work at Sunrise.
According to Mayo Clinic, CML is an uncommon type of cancer in the bone marrow and is very slow to progress.
Various symptoms can occur, such as bone pain, fatigue, fever, weight loss, blurry vision and loss of appetite among others.
Edwina revealed she suffered very little of these symptoms, with the main being fatigue which she put down to waking up early every morning for work.
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.
The longtime Seven star shares children Molly, four, and Thomas, two, with her husband of six years Neil Varcoe.