Edith Bowman calls for more young women to go for mammograms - exclusive

Edith Bowman is urging for more women under the age of 50 to go get their breasts checked by doctors.

The current NHS Breast Screening Programme invites women aged between 50 and 70 for a screening every three years but Edith feels women should be invited from a younger age.

Speaking to Yahoo! Celeb Edith said, 42, said: “When you turn 50 you receive an invitation for a mammogram and it should be younger, but there’s a large proportion of women that don’t go don’t check themselves.

Cancer is a cause close to Edith’s heart as she lost her young cousin, grandfather and grandmother and two uncles to the disease.

Edith’s mum Eleanor was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 through a routine mammogram and is thankfully now cancer free.

Edith has joined forces with Scottish Power and Cancer Research UK to celebrate raising £10 million to help beat cancer sooner.

The Virgin breakfast host kicked-off the celebrations at The Scoop in London by spinning on a giant record to mark the film launch and the reaching of the big milestone.

Talking about her mum’s journey she said: “It’s just about being aware and checking as prevention is half the battle!” We’re still lucky that my mum’s still here and that’s because we caught it early.

The Scottish DJ revealed she has worries of getting the disease and said: “I do have a fear of getting breast cancer and my doctor actually makes me go for a mammogram every two years.

“I just had one two weeks ago and it was so weird. I had the mammogram and had a wonderful nurse and she said ‘if you just want to take a seat in the waiting room and I’ll come and give you a verbal report then you’ll get one sent to the doctor.

“But then she came back out and said the doctor will like you to come back and have an ultrasound. And from the space of her telling me that and him telling me everything’s ok, maybe it was six minutes, every thought went through my head.”

She continued: “It just gives you a really sharp bolt of how short life can be and life is too short and you should try and do all of the things you want to do.”

Edith lives in Primrose Hill with her children Rudy, eight, Spike, three, and her husband Tom Smith, lead singer of Editors and says family life keeps her fit.

She said: “Having two kids has made me live quite healthy, I live close to Hampstead Heath and the kids are out there all of the time so I spend a lot of time outside.

“I’m happy and really love what I do. I think if you’re happy on the inside then you’re happy on the outside.”

Despite having a glittering broadcasting career both in TV and radio Edith wishes more female radio presenters could be enjoying a similar success.

She said: “I’m the only solo female breakfast host on a national commercial station and that’s rubbish. I’m really thrilled that I’ve been asked to be one of the guest’s hosts on Film 2016 as there are two blokes out of seven on the line-up, that’s a great ratio.

“I hope that radio takes more steps towards those roles for women and break out of those traditional roles like the weather girl, the sidekick or they’ll do the travel.

“Fair enough if that’s women want to do but there is a lot more opportunity and I just hope radio makes it possible for women.”

The mum-of-two is showing no signs of slowing down and says we’ll be seeing her at Glastonbury for many moons to come.

Edith said: “My first memory of Glastonbury was seeing this granny walking naked, with Jesus sandals and a handbag. I was like yep that’s going to be me.”