Julia Bradbury reveals 'shattering' breast cancer diagnosis—'I am going to lose my breast'

Julia Bradbury has revealed that she is scheduled to have a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in July. 

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, the Countryfile presenter said that she will undergo the operation to extract a "sizeable" six-centimeter tumor from her left breast next month. 

Surgeons will also remove tissue from other parts of her body to determine whether or not the cancer has advanced. Julia, who had previously had a breast cancer scare last year after discovering a benign lump, is remaining positive as she approaches the surgery. 

"It is quite good on the scale on cancers,” she said. “But as with all tumors, until you are in there you never know.”

“A mastectomy is a shattering thing to go through but it means that I am going to live and be here for my children. As it is I am going to lose my breast. I trust that one day I will look down on it and think that was the fight of my life and I have the ultimate battle scar to prove it."

The Irish-born English TV presenter also took to Twitter to confirm the news, writing, "I’m sad to say that I’ve just been diagnosed with breast cancer & need urgent surgery. Please self-check regularly & if you have any unexplained pain, tenderness or lumps, please ask for checks & follow-ups. And ask for a 2nd opinion if you’re not happy." 

She paired the important message with a sweet photo of her with her three children, Zephyr, Zena, and Xanthe. 

Julia, 52, has taken this opportunity to encourage other women to attend their breast cancer screenings and regularly monitor themselves for warning signs. Her health declined shortly before the tragic death of Sarah Harding, who was diagnosed with the cruel disease in August 2020. The Girls Aloud singer, who had put off GP appointments when she first experienced symptoms, also used her platform to urge others to prioritize their health. 

“We must, must, must check ourselves and seek help,” Julia told the Mail, adding: “Being scared of a diagnosis could be the thing which kills you. So learn what to look for and check, check, check." If you're not sure where to start, here's how to check for breast cancer with a 10-step breast self-exam. 

“Doctors are experts but only you can press a lump, know how it feels, and thinks you should do something about it.”

Julia has also said her doctors do not think she will require chemotherapy following the surgery.