Julia Bradbury Reflects on Her Health Journey Five Years After Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Julia Bradbury, 55, has opened up about how she has fine-tuned her lifestyle to live “for as long as possible” following her breast cancer diagnosis five years ago. The Countryfile presenter, a mother-of-three, was devastated when, at age 51, she was told she had a six-centimeter tumor in her left breast.
“I was terrified and sad, it was a very emotionally upsetting time,” Julia shared with The Times, revealing the toll the news took on her family. “It must have been very, very difficult for my family.”
Despite the emotional and physical challenges, Bradbury didn’t require chemotherapy but opted for a mastectomy to remove the affected breast. This decision led her to make dramatic changes to her diet and lifestyle, including cutting out meat and sugar to aid in her recovery.
“I thought, right, I need to get stronger for this,” she said. “I knew after the operation I needed to move and walk as quickly as possible in order to heal.”
Bradbury’s commitment to healing extended beyond surgery. She incorporated regular exercise, outdoor walks, and a consistent sleep schedule into her daily routine, determined to stay fit and continue being a constant presence for her children: son Zephyr, 14, and twin daughters Xanthe and Zena, 11.
The presenter has also advocated for advancements in healthcare, promoting the use of Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) testing to help predict breast cancer risks. These tests, which assess genetic variations, have given Julia valuable insights into her personal risk and empowered her to take proactive steps in managing her health.
“My PRS results showed a slightly higher genetic risk for recurrence,” she explained. “Knowing that helped me and my medical team make more informed decisions about treatment, ongoing monitoring, and lifestyle changes.”
Bradbury has become a passionate advocate for making PRS and SNP testing more widely available, particularly through the NHS. “We need to move towards preventative care, not just reactive care,” she stressed. “The earlier we understand our risk, the earlier we can take action.”
Reflecting on her journey, Bradbury shared that had she known about her higher risk earlier, she may have taken different steps when first discovering the lump in her 50s. With her lifestyle changes and ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of recurrence, she remains committed to staying healthy for her family.
Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers worldwide, with more than two million cases diagnosed each year. Through her advocacy and personal journey, Julia continues to inspire others in the fight against this disease.
