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Julia Bradbury on how her pre-cancer life ‘was like being chased by a tiger all day'
Julia Bradbury on how her pre-cancer life ‘was like being chased by a tiger all day'

The Independent

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Independent

Julia Bradbury on how her pre-cancer life ‘was like being chased by a tiger all day'

Julia Bradbury's stress hormones used to be so high that a doctor told her it was like she was being chased by a tiger all day. And then she got cancer. Now, four years since she found a lump in her breast and had a mastectomy, the TV presenter, 54, has turned her life around and has finally got the balance right. 'I didn't have a very balanced life before cancer,' she admits. 'Now, I really do feel grateful for every day – balance is very, very important.' Bradbury, who presented Countryfile and a number of other TV documentaries, many of them about walking, says: 'I've had my cortisol [stress hormone] measured, and historically it's been through the roof. As one doctor described it, I appeared to be being chased by a tiger all day. 'It's something for everybody to be mindful of – we are human beings, not human doings. Even lions and tigers don't hunt all day, they rest a lot, and that's a good metaphor for us – you can't be in hunting mode or being chased all the time. 'You have to find some time to rest and be calm, and find a little bit of security and peace somewhere where you're not being chased.' So now Bradbury, who's written six books about walking, plus the forthcoming health tips book Hack Yourself Healthy which will be published in September, does breath work and meditation every morning at first light, meditates at night, and exercises regularly. 'I try very much to build peaceful, calm moments into my day, because it's very, very important for me, particularly post a cancer diagnosis,' she explains. 'It's very important to maintain, to keep your stress levels at a minimum, but not always easy when you're running around and trying to meet book deadlines and TV deadlines and all the rest of it. 'So I make sure I carve out those times in the day for me to do my nature walk, to do my breath work, to really calm my cortisol levels. And that for me, I believe, is life-saving.' She also journals and, perhaps most importantly, spends as much quality time as possible with her three children – Zephyr, 13, and her twin daughters Xanthe and Zena, 10. 'I really revel in being present with them and doing things with them that are nourishing and enriching – not big things, just being with them and spending time together is really, really important.' And she still values life's smaller wins too, explaining: 'Nurturing those small things is important – that early morning cuppa, if you're lucky enough to have a balcony or open a window or have a garden, and you have that first cup of tea, and it's a peaceful moment for you. 'Those are the big things in my life. Now, I say that the small things are the big things.' Bradbury, who lives with her property developer husband Gerard Cunningham and their children in London, is also extremely mindful about what she puts in her body through the food she eats, and on her body in terms of creams and cosmetics. And she's become an ambassador for the organic skincare brand Green People and its new Free to Breathe campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the link between pore-clogging sun creams and the development of heat rash. This comes after research undertaken by Green People found 59% of Brits have experienced heat rash, with 64% of regular sufferers having avoided using sun cream altogether due to fearing they'd trigger a heat rash. 'Green People and I are very aligned in terms of using sunscreens for protection without a lot of nasty ingredients in there,' says Bradbury, who explains that being more careful about things like suncream is all part of trying to become more healthy since she found out she had cancer. 'It was a real shock, of course it was, to get a cancer diagnosis, but it also made me re-evaluate my health entirely,' she says. 'I thought I was quite healthy and, for example, I don't struggle with my weight and that meant in some instances I was the person that could always eat the sugar. But I didn't fully understand what was going on in the inside – I've had issues like endometriosis and other things, and really, cancer made me do a 360 of my health and start to lead a healthier life across the board, from the way I exercise to the way I eat.' She admits her cancer diagnosis in 2021 was 'completely terrifying,' saying: 'I don't think there'd be anybody who's heard the words 'you've got cancer' who wouldn't immediately be terrified. It's a frightening sentence to be on the receiving end of, but I very quickly became the journalist on myself, and started examining myself as a story, if you like, and examining and researching cancer and treatment.' Four years after she underwent a mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction, had some lymph nodes removed, and had chemotherapy, Bradbury says she's 'really well, and taking good care of myself,' and is looking forward to next year which will be five years after her diagnosis. 'The magic number is five, isn't it? If you survive past five years, then statistically, you're a survivor of cancer.' She says she still has check-ups, and does very robust self-checking, but stresses: 'It really made an enormous impact on my life – but I can't say it was all negative. For me, it's been a bit of a wake-up call.' She says she doesn't eat junk food any more, pointing out that previously she 'ate enough junk food to last a lifetime.' She also avoids ultra-processed foods and sweets, which she admits is 'really hard in the television industry, because people tend to fuel themselves on bags of [sweets].' In addition, she says: 'I didn't take care of my sleep, I was drinking too much, in my opinion, and I was eating too much sugar. 'Excess sugar causes all sorts of problems on a cellular level for us, and also damages the liver. And if your liver isn't functioning properly, you're not excreting the toxins you need to. So I really wasn't giving myself the best chance by hammering my liver with loads of sugar, and alcohol as well. 'What about beauty stuff, and make-up? You look at it and you go 'how many toxins is my body dealing with every day, and am I supporting my liver in the best possible way to help it try and eliminate those toxins?' 'And if you're not, because you're not moving, and you're indulging in too many of the other things that are clogging you up, then from my point of view I think your body's going to get into trouble.'

Countryfile's Matt Baker says 'I felt emotional' after heartbreaking realisation
Countryfile's Matt Baker says 'I felt emotional' after heartbreaking realisation

Daily Mirror

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Daily Mirror

Countryfile's Matt Baker says 'I felt emotional' after heartbreaking realisation

Former The One Show presenter and Countryfile star Matt Baker is back on our screens with a new series about the British Isles after making an emotional discovery during filming Countryfile host Matt Baker has revealed that he was moved to tears while filming his latest series, particularly when discussing Queen Elizabeth II. The former The One Show presenter, 47, is back on our screens with Matt Baker's British Isles on More4. ‌ In the show, he embarks on a journey around the UK, visiting areas that some viewers may be familiar with, while others may not. Among the locations he explores is a Scottish village named Crathie, which holds significant Royal ties. ‌ Speaking to TV Times, the Countryfile star shared: "I also go to the Scottish village of Crathie, outside Balmoral Castle, where locals have mingled with the Royal Family since the 19th century. "The Royal chaplain, a lovely man named Ken, showed me around the church and I felt quite emotional hearing about the special service held for locals when the late Queen Elizabeth II passed." ‌ This isn't the first time the late Queen has been mentioned in recent weeks. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, claimed that she communicates with the monarch through her corgis. Sarah, 65, stated that the late queen's corgis visit her every morning and when they bark, she is "sure" it's Queen Elizabeth speaking to her. Addressing the London Creative Women Platform forum, Sarah commented: "I have her dogs, I have her corgis. Every morning they come in and go 'woof woof' and all that and I'm sure it's her talking to me." ‌ While Sarah Ferguson reminisces about Queen Elizabeth's beloved dogs, former Royal chef Darren McGrady spills the beans on Her Majesty's preferred snack. The culinary expert, who served the Royal Family for an impressive 15 years, divulged to a YouTube channel that the Queen's go-to sandwich was none other than jam pennies. ‌ He shared: "The Queen was served jam pennies in the nursery as a little girl. She's had them for afternoon tea ever since. "It's simple: just bread and jam with a little butter-usually strawberry jam. We'd make the jam at Balmoral Castle with the gorgeous Scottish strawberries from the gardens." In another tasty revelation, Tom Parker Bowles, in his book 'Cooking and The Crown', hints at another of the monarch's favourites, according to GloucestershireLive. Camilla, the Queen Consort's son, teased: "Now try as I might, Gav is far too discreet to tell me what she ordered. 'She might have eaten the smoked eel mousse more than once, but that is something that I can neither confirm nor deny.'".

Adam Henson supported by family as he makes heartbreaking farm admission
Adam Henson supported by family as he makes heartbreaking farm admission

Daily Mirror

time3 days ago

  • Health
  • Daily Mirror

Adam Henson supported by family as he makes heartbreaking farm admission

Countryfile star Adam Henson has opened up about the support he has from family and friends and how, over the years, he has faced some challenges while running the farm Adam Henson, known from BBC's Countryfile, has candidly spoken out about the hurdles he's encountered in both his professional and personal spheres. While not on screen, Adam is hard at work managing his family farm in the Cotswolds, a legacy started by his father Joe back in 1971. ‌ During an intimate chat with Reach PLC, Adam shared insight into the critical support provided by loved ones and friends, admitting that steering the farm has indeed presented numerous obstacles over time. ‌ Further delving into his private life, Adam disclosed the tough period following his wife Charlie's cancer diagnosis. Adam conveyed his natural optimism, saying: "My characteristics are that I am an upbeat person, and I have got an incredibly supportive family, wife and children and people around me.," reports Gloucestershire Live. Speaking of his professional dealings, he said: "And within the business, I have got a business partner who I was at Agricultural College with and he is one of my closest friends and what we do is surround ourselves with people that are excellent within their own role in the business. Whether that is a manager or a farm manager, and we work really closely with the team and we are all very honest and open with one another. ‌ "I have had some very difficult times in my life, both in business and personally. My wife was very ill a few years ago, my parents dying, and I lost a nephew." Sharing on how he's coped with these trials, he noted: "We have gone through foot and mouth challenges, Covid, and we have had some tough times, but I've never had poor mental health because I've had that fantastic support system around me." ‌ In an emotional disclosure, Adam and his wife previously opened up about the tremendous impact that the cancer diagnosis had on their lives. Back in 2021, the couple were confronted with the news they had been fearing when Charlie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. ‌ Charlie confided to the Daily Mirror, expressing the shock they felt: "It was both barrels," as she recounted the moment a significant tumour was discovered on her pancreas. "We knew people who'd died of pancreatic cancer, and I absolutely felt this was going to be the end of my life." Adam shared his own turmoil: "I felt physically sick," while Charlie recalled the overwhelming confirmation of their worries, saying: "Our darkest fears were confirmed. Adam had to practically carry me down the corridor. My legs were like jelly." The couple sought help from one of the nation's top specialists, leading to Charlie being slated for a risky surgery, with the outcome hanging in the balance. ‌ On the day, Adam described the emotionally charged atmosphere: "There were a lot of tears and a lot of emotion in the room." The family then travelled to London for Charlie's painstaking procedure, during which she prepared for the worst by penning final letters to Adam, their kids, and her siblings. However, two years on from those heart-wrenching times, Charlie has made steps towards normality, working part-time and living in anticipation of her six-monthly scans. Countryfile is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Julia Bradbury shares her mastectomy scars and says they are a sign of 'resilience' and 'survival' after breast cancer battle
Julia Bradbury shares her mastectomy scars and says they are a sign of 'resilience' and 'survival' after breast cancer battle

Daily Mail​

time7 days ago

  • General
  • Daily Mail​

Julia Bradbury shares her mastectomy scars and says they are a sign of 'resilience' and 'survival' after breast cancer battle

Julia Bradbury has proudly shared her surgery scars after undergoing a mastectomy in her fight against breast cancer. The Countryfile presenter, 53, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021 and underwent a mastectomy to have her 6cm tumour removed. The TV host took to Instagram on Tuesday and shared a close-up shot of her breast along with a message that scars are a sign of 'resilience'. She wrote: 'In Japan, there's a tradition called Kintsugi — the art of mending broken pottery with gold. Instead of hiding the cracks, this practice highlights them, celebrating the object's history and uniqueness. 'Why does this matter to us? From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Just like those vessels, our scars — emotional or physical — are not flaws to be concealed. They're stories of resilience, growth, and transformation. Each mark is a testament to our journey and strength. 'What if we viewed our imperfections as our most beautiful features?' Julia believes scars are a sign of 'survival' and 'strength'. She added: 'Embracing our scars doesn't mean we haven't been hurt or been through hard things; it means we've healed, we've learned, and we've become more ourselves. 'Our scars are not marks of defeat but of survival, growth, and strength. Each line, each break, is a testament to the challenges we've faced and the resilience we've built. 'So, let's not shy away from them. Let's wear them with pride. They're the golden threads that weave the tapestry of our lives.' It comes after Julia recently broke down into tears as she recalled the moment she informed her husband, Gerard Cunningham, about her diagnosis. Appearing on Davina McCall 's Begin Again podcast, Julia spoke about the moment she phoned her partner, whom she has been married to since 2000, to break the devastating news. Julia said: 'I told him, and we cried. And I said, "I'll do whatever I have to do to get through this. I will do whatever it is".' Determined to fight, she expressed her readiness to face any challenge that may pop up ahead. 'If I have to lose a breast, I'll have to lose my hair. If I have to go, whatever it is I need to do,' she said. 'I'm going to do what I need to do to get through this.' Julia said fighting cancer is not the same for everyone. She said: 'Every type of cancer is different. Every type of breast cancer is different. 'You'll have a friend who's gone through breast cancer, and she and I will sit down and have a story, and we'll have had a different tumour in a different place, and it will behave differently. 'It's very complicated. And that's the reason why the war on cancer hasn't been won yet.' Julia shares her son Zephyr, 13, and her twin girls, Xanthe and Zena, eight, with her property developer husband, Gerard. In 2023, she spoke about her determination to 'stay alive' two years on from her breast cancer diagnosis. The journalist and TV presenter had the tumour, two lymph glands and her left breast removed before having reconstruction surgery. Julia has since revealed how her diagnosis changed her life, leading her to adopt a much healthier diet and go teetotal as she declared she will do everything possible to see her children grow up. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Each year in the UK there are more than 55,000 new cases, and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, it strikes 266,000 each year and kills 40,000. But what causes it and how can it be treated? What is breast cancer? It comes from a cancerous cell which develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts. When the breast cancer has spread into surrounding tissue it is called 'invasive'. Some people are diagnosed with 'carcinoma in situ', where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobule. Most cases develop in those over the age of 50 but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, though this is rare. Staging indicates how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body. The cancerous cells are graded from low, which means a slow growth, to high, which is fast-growing. High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after they have first been treated. What causes breast cancer? A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'. Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance, such as genetics. What are the symptoms of breast cancer? The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most are not cancerous and are fluid filled cysts, which are benign. The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this occurs you will develop a swelling or lump in an armpit. How is breast cancer diagnosed? Initial assessment: A doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may do tests such as a mammography, a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can indicate the possibility of tumours. Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer. If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver or a chest X-ray. How is breast cancer treated? Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments are used. Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or the removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumour. Radiotherapy: A treatment which uses high energy beams of radiation focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells, or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery. Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying. Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the 'female' hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments which reduce the level of these hormones, or prevent them from working, are commonly used in people with breast cancer. How successful is treatment? The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure. The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 71 means more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage.

Countryfile's Matt Baker makes admission as he shares his battle with dyslexia
Countryfile's Matt Baker makes admission as he shares his battle with dyslexia

Wales Online

time27-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Wales Online

Countryfile's Matt Baker makes admission as he shares his battle with dyslexia

Countryfile's Matt Baker makes admission as he shares his battle with dyslexia Matt Baker is back on screens with a new series, Matt Baker's British Isles, which sees him travel around the UK. Matt Baker is a familiar face on British television, known for his adventurous spirit and versatility in presenting a wide range of shows, from the energetic challenges of Blue Peter to the thought-provoking discussions on The One Show and the scenic explorations of Countryfile. With his unique blend of charm, resilience, and practicality, he has become a beloved figure on TV screens. ‌ At 47, Matt returns with a new series, Matt Baker's British Isles on More4, a heartfelt tribute to the landscapes and people of the UK, spread across four episodes. ‌ When he's not on the road filming, Matt's life takes on a more leisurely pace, centered around the routines of farm life that he shares with his wife, Nicola, and their two children, Luke and Molly, in Hertfordshire. However, during the pandemic in 2021, the family relocated to the Durham Dales to assist Matt's mother, Janice, with managing the family farm. Countryfile's Matt Baker makes admission as he shares his battle with dyslexia (Image: (Image: BBC) ) Article continues below Matt has maintained this connection to rural life, embracing its rugged beauty and the satisfaction of working with his hands. "There's nothing quite like taking the dogs out, seeing the sheep and doing some DIY," he remarks, "I love building things and getting messy." His DIY projects are not limited to minor tasks as he has undertaken significant projects, including constructing sheds, patios, and even entire barns, reports the Mirror. Currently, he is working on building a pathway and gardening beds, with many more projects in the pipeline. ‌ He told OK!: "I have loads of projects. Some are still resting. Growing up on a farm teaches you these things." The Countryfile star recalled his younger years with dyslexia (Image: (Image: BBC) ) For Matt, working with his hands also serves as a source of comfort due to his dyslexia. ‌ He shared: "I'm very practical because I'm dyslexic. Reading isn't really my thing. I prefer making things and painting." His dyslexia has profoundly influenced both his learning and social interactions. "I don't know what it's like to not have dyslexia. When I was younger, I've never been more terrified than I was when asked to read aloud." However, he has embraced his condition with resilience. Even in his television career, unexpected challenges arise. ‌ Matt is returning to screens for a new More4 show (Image: Steven Landles / Channel 4 ) "When somebody throws a name in front of you on live TV, you have to read it," he shares, "But I just read what I think it says and hit it with confidence." Matt maintains a remarkably positive and motivational attitude. "I wouldn't change a thing," he declares. ‌ "Being neurodivergent means you think differently. You keep telling yourself, 'I'm ready for this. And you can. Dyslexia has taught me you can achieve anything." His strength is also evident in his new series, which showcases the everyday contributions of people across the UK. "I've had many adventures around the UK and the world," he reflects, "I've met incredible people in amazing places." Article continues below Matt Baker's British Isles kicks off June 3 at 9pm on More4.

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