27th January 2026
Judith Edwards, Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Thame West and Chalgrove, has shared the following personal statement to update residents on her health, her upcoming treatment, and her plans during a short period away from official meetings, while reaffirming her commitment to the community she serves.
"On Christmas Eve, I was given formal diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer. It was, to say the least, quite a blow, not least because I was just settling into my new role as County Councillor for Chalgrove and Thame West. Life was busy and exciting, and we were getting ready for a family Christmas, but sometimes you don't get to choose what happens next.
So, what does this mean? The great news for me is that my cancer has been caught early, is highly treatable and the prognosis is excellent. It will also be relatively brief treatment that should mean that I'm back to full strength by late Spring/early Summer. I fully intend to see out my current term of office and hope to stay longer if you'll let me, as the job is so enriching and useful.
But there's no getting away from the fact that cancer is a tough illness. I've already had pioneering laser treatment (as part of an amazing clinical trial for the NHS at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford) and there's surgery and radiotherapy ahead. It's also quite the emotional and physical journey, building up to each treatment and then recovering while facing up to it all.
I have therefore taken the very difficult decision to give myself a complete break and take up to 3 months to get through the treatments and look after myself properly. I won't be going to official meetings but I will still get out and about when I can so you may still see me around – and I will continue to take a close interest in local affairs! I'll be back fighting for this wonderful part of the world before you know it.
I am enormously fortunate and grateful for the support of my councillor colleagues at both district and county level who will do their best to help you in the meantime. In this area we are also enormously fortunate to have the incredible support of our MP, Freddie van Mierlo and his wonderful team. They are fantastic and will be a great first step if you're not sure who's best to contact. All the key contact details are listed below.
I would like to state publicly my thanks for all the support from my family, my friends, and staff & colleagues from Oxfordshire County Council, whether from my party, another or none. And a huge shoutout to the wonderful team at the Churchill for their incredible, world-leading care.
My story is a huge success for the breast screening programme, and I remain eternally grateful for it. I'd urge anyone with an invite for screening of any sort to take it up because the sooner you know, the sooner you can get it sorted.
Cancer is a blight but actually very common. Lots of you will know someone going through the same journey as me, or perhaps you are yourselves. I hope that it helps everyone to talk about it openly and acknowledge that while treatment is tough, there is hope – lots of it, but we need to look after ourselves as we tackle what life throws at us.
See you soon!"
