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

Mar. 15, 2025

Julia Bradbury.Photo:Julia Bradbury/Instagram

Julia Bradbury/Instagram

Julia Bradburyis 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 toldThe Sun.

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.”

Julia Bradbury in 2024.Julia Bradbury/Instagram

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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.

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

Julia Bradbury in October 2021.Julia Bradbury/Instagram

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After her operation, Bradburyposted an updatefor 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.

source: people.com