BBC’s Julia Bradbury Shares How Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis ‘Saved My Life’

Julia Bradbury is detailing how her 2021 breast cancer diagnosis saved her life.

The Irish-born BBC television presenter — who is now cancer free — said her shocking diagnosis was the push she needed to make significant lifestyle changes.

“The reason I say cancer saved my life is because it was a moment and an opportunity for me to completely reassess my own health and my approach to health,” the 54-year-old recently told The Sun. 

“And I’m not blaming myself for my cancer and I’m not blaming anybody for their cancer,” Bradbury continued. “But what I will say is in my instance, in my situation, I was not, although I thought I was relatively healthy, I wasn’t leading a healthy day by day life.”

Bradbury said sleep wasn’t a priority before she got cancer, mostly due to her demanding career reporting entertainment news. She admitted that with her sleeping habits, paired with poor diet and exercise, she left herself open to the disease.

“So now I look back and I go, I’m not actually that surprised,” she said. “I mean, my disease manifested itself as cancer. It could have been type 2 diabetes. It could have been three or four other things.”

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Bradbury first felt a lump in her breast during the summer of 2020, but it wasn’t until three mammograms later that doctors discovered she had a tumor in her left breast.

She announced in October 2021 that she would have an emergency mastectomy, sharing a topless photo on Instagram as she bravely said goodbye to her left breast in a message of gratitude.

“I’m going for my last walk in this body. I’m going for my last walk with these boobs. One of the the best bits of advice I’ve received in the weeks of my breast cancer diagnosis (thank you) .. is to say goodbye to my breast and to thank my body for all the sustenance, joy & life it has given me.”

The mom of three continued, “Goodbye left boob.. I’ve breastfed my children with you, I’ve jumped into the sea with you, I’ve walked thousands of miles with you. And you’ve given me (and some others 😅) pleasure along the way. Now it’s time to make way for something new.”

“Thank you ALL for your love & support. See you on the other side. Check yourselves! And take care of your bodies. #breastcancerawareness.”

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After her operation, Bradbury posted an update for her followers from her hospital bed, with a smile on her face.

“I feel relief that the operation is over. The anxiety leading up to it was overwhelming. I feel sad that such a brutal treatment is necessary in so many breast cancer cases, but I choose life,” she wrote at the time. “I will do anything I can to live to see my children grow up & if this was happening to any other member of my family, or them, I would swap places in a heartbeat.”

“To all you warrior women (& men) out there, I send my love. I’ll hold a little of my strength to get through the next few weeks & months. Namaste. The sacred in me recognizes the sacred in you. 🙏🏽❤️#breastcancerawaress #mastectomy #cancer #walking #mentalhealth.”

Bradbury is mom to son Zephyrus, 13, and twin daughters Xanthe and Zena, 9, whom she shares with longtime partner Gerard Cunningham.