Julia Bradbury has revealed the significant lifestyle changes she has made since her battle with breast cancer, describing the experience as a wake-up call to focus on her health.
The Countryfile presenter, 54, underwent a mastectomy in 2021 after a 6cm tumor and two lymph nodes were discovered.
Despite initial delays in her diagnosis due to dense breast tissue masking the tumor on scans, Julia is now in remission and determined to live a healthier life, avoiding alcohol and making sure she goes outside regularly.
Speaking about her journey, she shared The times: ‘I was not close to death, but death looked me in the eye.
“So I’m more focused on my health than ever before. I don’t drink, I eat healthy and exercise every day.’
The presenter added: ‘When I came home from my mastectomy, I vowed to spend time outside every day, and that’s my mantra, no matter how poor it may be in this damn winter.’
Julia Bradbury has revealed the major lifestyle changes she has made since her battle with breast cancer. She describes the experience as a wake-up call to focus on her health
The Countryfile presenter, 54, underwent a mastectomy in 2021 after a 6cm tumor and two lymph nodes were discovered
Julia’s dedication to staying active and embracing nature is evident in her frequent social media posts.
She regularly shares videos of herself hiking, swimming in outdoor lidos and giving health tips to her followers.
The presenter, who has three children – Zephyrus, 12, and twins Xanthe and Zena, 9 – added that her journey was about resilience and making the most of life.
On Christmas Day, she shared a video of herself braving a frigid, 7-degree swim, encouraging others as she repeated the mantra, “We can do hard things.”
Julia previously revealed how her world stopped when she heard her cancer diagnosis before admitting she almost didn’t go to her follow-up appointments.
She said at the time: ‘I found a lump in my breast which was originally diagnosed as a cluster of benign microcysts, and as a follow-up test I had to have another mammogram.
‘The scan, including ultrasound and physical examination, had revealed nothing worrying, so I almost didn’t go to my follow-up appointment.
‘However, the follow-up a year later was life-saving when my doctor discovered a small shadow on my chest, which turned out to be cancer.
Despite initial delays in her diagnosis due to dense breast tissue masking the tumor on scans, Julia is now in remission and determined to live a healthier life, avoiding alcohol and making sure she goes outside regularly.
On Christmas Day, she shared a video of herself braving a freezing 7-degree swim, encouraging others with the mantra, “We can do hard things.”
In January 2023, the star shared a video on Instagram documenting her life since being diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021.
‘When you hear the words ‘you have cancer’, your world stands still. These are words that no one wants to hear. It’s a club that no one wants to be a part of, and yet so many do.
“Every cancer diagnosis is a journey, and that journey is different for everyone. It is a surprising statistic that 1 in 7 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.”
The presenter has been very candid about her battle with cancer and previously revealed on Good Morning Britain that her diagnosis changed her life.
In January 2023, the star shared a video on Instagram documenting her life since being diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021.
Julia, who is married to property developer Gerard Cunningham, underwent a mastectomy after publicly announcing her diagnosis.
Julia Bradbury pictured with her Countryfile colleagues Matt Baker (far left) and Adam Henson (far right) alongside John Craven and HRH The Prince of Wales (pictured in 2013)
In December 2013 of the same year, she took part in ITV’s The Real Full Monty, where she and other brave celebrities bared it all, to highlight the importance of checking your body and raising cancer awareness.
Reflecting on her battle with breast cancer, Julia shared photos of herself throughout the year as she talked about how she changed her life.
She said she has given up alcohol, changed her diet and now prioritizes sleep as she talked about the lifestyle changes she has made to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
The film also featured some emotional moments from her battle with cancer, including attending her breast exam and being in a hospital bed for treatment.
In December of the same year, she took part in ITV’s The Real Full Monty to raise cancer awareness.