Julia Bradbury, renowned presenter of Countryfile, has openly discussed the two major health mistakes she made before her breast cancer diagnosis in 2021. At 55, the diagnosis came amidst the Covid pandemic and marked a turning point in her life.
Following a single mastectomy, Julia committed to a comprehensive lifestyle overhaul aimed at preventing cancer recurrence. She admitted that the diagnosis forced her to “re-evaluate her life” and acknowledge that her previous habits “weren’t pretty.”
Over the past five years, Julia has embraced wellness, drastically changing her approach to health. Speaking with My Weekly magazine, she said: “I was stressed, I ate too much sugar, and I never really honoured sleep. Now, I’ve mostly cut alcohol and completely cut sugar, I meditate, and I have early nights.”
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Medical advice warned her that consuming more than a specific amount of alcohol significantly increases the risk of cancer returning. This stark information had a profound effect on Julia, who described it as if “death looked me in the eyes.”
In an interview with The Times, Julia addressed criticism she’s received on social media from people questioning lifestyle factors in cancer. “I’m not blaming anyone for their illness,” she clarified. “But for me, it was a wake-up call that made me prioritise sleep, emotional health, and time with loved ones. Drinking more than four units of alcohol a week increases my risk of recurrence by 28%. Many find my decision to give up drinking infuriating.”
Julia also reflected on how cancer reshaped her confidence and financial outlook. “I’m very fortunate and overall having a wonderful life,” she stated. “But I’ve had a cancer diagnosis, my parents had cancer, I’ve lost people, faced financial worries, reinvented myself, and I’m not always 100% happy. Yet, I believe you can overcome hardships.”
Since her diagnosis, Julia has also authored several books, including Walk Yourself Happy and Hack Yourself Healthy. Despite her fearless nature, she has been exploring whether her intense lifestyle is sustainable. She shared with The Express a doctor’s insight: “Your drive is like running on a credit card. You can push through a lot, but it might not be the best for you. You don’t have to win every race or overcome everything. I don’t want to max out the credit card.”
Though Julia has been given the all-clear from cancer, she continues annual check-ups. She concludes with a poignant reminder: “I wasn’t close to death, but death looked me in the eyes.”