Nadia Bartel reveals shock cancer scare

Fashion designer and former WAG Nadia Bartel has opened up about her own cancer scare as she supports the Witchery White Shirt campaign this year.

When Nadia Bartel puts on her white shirt on Thursday, it comes with a special meaning for the fashion designer and former WAG.

On the eve of her 40th birthday, the long-time ambassador for the Witchery White Shirt campaign, has opened up about her own cancer scare.

With a history of cancer in the family, the mother of two has always been vigilant about getting her early checks, which resulted in finding a lump in her breast after finishing school.

“I had a lump removed out of my chest,” Bartel told the Herald Sun.

“It was scary, but it was fine in the end. They took it out and it was benign. I have a little scar there but for a week or something you don’t know. I was 18 at the time and breast cancer can affect really young women,” she said.

“There is a lot of cancers in my family. There is a history of breast cancer and my aunty, who I was really close with, died from a rare cervical cancer. She died too young and you just ask why. But like with ovarian cancer they didn’t pick up the signs or symptoms.

Nadia Bartel for Witchery Ovarian Cancer research campaign. Picture: Supplied

“It’s always that scary word, cancer. And you don’t realise how it affects you and those around you until it touches you.”

The Henne fashion designer and business owner is speaking up to raise awareness on World Ovarian Cancer Day on Thursday May 8. It was not long after that she was made aware about ovarian cancer, and only through the Witchery White Shirt campaign which is now in its 17th year and raised more than $17 million much needed funds for the deadly disease.

“The older I’m getting, I want to make a difference and talk about substantial things I’m really passionate about. Be that women’s health – ovarian cancer, domestic violence or mental health,” Bartel said.

“Witchery collaborates with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and it’s incredible the work they do. Ovarian cancer is actually the most lethal cancer that affects women in Australia and that is something I feel passionate about,” Bartel said.

Nadia Bartel for Witchery Ovarian Cancer research campaign Picture: Supplied

“There is no early detection test. So even if you take a pap smear it cannot detect ovarian cancer so when women find out they have this cancer it is far too late, so we need money for research which is really our only hope.

This year’s white shirt and white jeans, pictured on Bartel, has been designed by Margie Woods of cult Melbourne founded label Viktoria & Woods.

Woods has seen the first-hand impact of ovarian cancer following her mother’s diagnosis with the disease in 2023, and she was deeply moved by the chance to combine her love of fashion with a cause close to her heart. She will speak at a panel discussion with fellow ambassador Laura Henshaw and Witchery’s Jen Petropoulos in Burnley on Thursday to help raise awareness and funds.

“Buy a white shirt and you can make a difference,” Bartel said. “100 per cent of proceeds goes to ovarian cancer research.”

Originally published as Nadia Bartel reveals shock cancer scare