Latest news with #JuliaBradbury
The Independent
2 days 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.'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
NASA says this 10-minute workout beats 30 minutes of jogging and is easier on your joints
If your mornings are a chaotic dance between snooze buttons and coffee cups, and the idea of squeezing in a 30-minute jog feels like launching a space mission, NASA might have just delivered the perfect fitness hack from, quite literally, out of this world. In a revelation that's making waves across fitness communities, NASA has backed a deceptively simple 10-minute exercise that could potentially make your daily jog obsolete. It's called rebounding—and yes, it involves bouncing on a mini-trampoline. Once the poster child of 1980s fitness tapes, rebounding is now finding new fans thanks to some serious scientific validation. From the Lab to Your Living Room According to a report from UNILAD Tech, NASA originally turned to rebounding to help astronauts maintain muscle mass and cardiovascular health during their extended stays in zero gravity. In one notable 1980 study, the space agency compared the aerobic effects of jogging versus bouncing. The result? Rebounding was found to be 68% more effective than treadmill running at the same oxygen uptake level. Even more impressively, it could sometimes double the efficiency of jogging. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dog licks arent kisses. Heres what your dog really means when it licks you. Novelodge Undo The secret lies in the dynamics of movement. While running concentrates impact on your knees and joints, rebounding spreads it across the body, creating a high-intensity, low-impact exercise that's both effective and forgiving. And you don't need a gym membership or a perfect weather forecast to do it. iStock Backed by space-age science and now trending online, rebounding delivers efficient, joint-friendly exercise—bringing astronaut-level fitness right into your living room. (Representational image: iStock) Health Bounce and Beyond What exactly does rebounding involve? Picture a range of energetic movements—light jumping, twists, jacks, and even dance-based routines—performed on a small, springy surface. The 'Health Bounce,' the most basic movement, is enough to get your heart racing and your endorphins flowing, all while taking it easy on your joints. You Might Also Like: Is 'Japanese walking' the secret to smarter fitness? How a 30-minute hack can make you fitter, leaner, and 10 years younger NASA's research also pointed out quicker recovery times, making it ideal for busy professionals, parents, and anyone keen to avoid post-workout burnout. — JuliaBradbury (@JuliaBradbury) Trampolines and TikTok Trends As if NASA's endorsement wasn't enough, rebounding has also found viral fame on TikTok and fitness platforms, often through the use of kangaroo jumping boots —bouncy footwear that mimics the trampoline effect for on-the-go cardio. So next time you wince at the thought of lacing up your sneakers for a run, consider rummaging through the attic or investing in a compact rebounder. It takes up less space than a treadmill, offers a more efficient workout, and—let's face it—bouncing is just more fun. After all, if it's good enough for astronauts hurtling through space, it might just be the game-changer your earthbound fitness routine needs. You Might Also Like: Want to live past 100? Centenarians say the key has nothing to do with food or fitness You Might Also Like: 'Walking' for exercise? Scientist says you are probably doing it wrong. Here is how to fix it
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- 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.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Julia Bradbury praises breast cancer study
Television presenter Julia Bradbury has said a new study which concluded women with very dense breasts should be offered additional scans "could not come soon enough". The 54-year-old, who was best known for presenting BBC One's Countryfile, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 after a year and a half of tests. A study led by the University of Cambridge said that other scans - not just traditional mammograms - could treble the number of cancers detected in these women. "It is like looking for a snowball in a snowstorm, so this research could not come soon enough," Bradbury said. Bradbury said she "found a lump" when she was travelling and got it checked. After having a mammogram, Bradbury said she was "advised there was nothing to worry about". "I was sitting in the chair about to leave the office with my consultant," she recalled. "He said I am going to give you another ultrasound before you leave. "Thank goodness I had that consultant." Bradbury said a 6cm (2.4in) lump was found during the ultrasound, and she was sent for further tests. "When I was having the biopsy I knew in my heart there was something seriously wrong, and those were the first tears I shed. "I then had that horrible conversation of you have got cancer." The trial, co-ordinated from Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, tested different scanning methods on women with very dense breasts who had only been given a mammogram and had originally been told they did not have cancer. More than 9,000 women were involved in the study. About one in 10 women have very dense breasts and have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers said the cancers were harder to spot as they look whiter on the X-rays, the same colour as early-stage cancers. "I did not think there was anything untoward about having dense breasts. However, there is a slight risk of breast cancer," added Bradbury, speaking to the BBC this week. The Department of Health and Social Care said its screening advisory body had been looking at ways to improve detection rates in women with very dense breasts for a number of years. It said it would be reviewing the findings of this trial, but it was determined to "fight cancer on all fronts" to improve survival rates. A new national cancer plan for England is expected to be published later this year. "This study has show that thousands of undetected cancers could be caught," Bradbury said. "We have to try and be our own advocates and understand our body a little bit more." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Call for NHS to give women with dense breasts extra cancer scans Permanent home approved for cancer support centre Breast cancer survivors 'at risk' of second illness University of Cambridge Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Julia Bradbury praises breast cancer study
Television presenter Julia Bradbury has said a new study which concluded women with very dense breasts should be offered additional scans "could not come soon enough". The 54-year-old, who was best known for presenting BBC One's Countryfile, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 after a year and a half of tests. A study led by the University of Cambridge said that other scans - not just traditional mammograms - could treble the number of cancers detected in these women. "It is like looking for a snowball in a snowstorm, so this research could not come soon enough," Bradbury said. Bradbury said she "found a lump" when she was travelling and got it checked. After having a mammogram, Bradbury said she was "advised there was nothing to worry about". "I was sitting in the chair about to leave the office with my consultant," she recalled. "He said I am going to give you another ultrasound before you leave. "Thank goodness I had that consultant." Bradbury said a 6cm (2.4in) lump was found during the ultrasound, and she was sent for further tests. "When I was having the biopsy I knew in my heart there was something seriously wrong, and those were the first tears I shed. "I then had that horrible conversation of you have got cancer." The trial, co-ordinated from Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, tested different scanning methods on women with very dense breasts who had only been given a mammogram and had originally been told they did not have cancer. More than 9,000 women were involved in the study. About one in 10 women have very dense breasts and have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers said the cancers were harder to spot as they look whiter on the X-rays, the same colour as early-stage cancers. "I did not think there was anything untoward about having dense breasts. However, there is a slight risk of breast cancer," added Bradbury, speaking to the BBC this week. The Department of Health and Social Care said its screening advisory body had been looking at ways to improve detection rates in women with very dense breasts for a number of years. It said it would be reviewing the findings of this trial, but it was determined to "fight cancer on all fronts" to improve survival rates. A new national cancer plan for England is expected to be published later this year. "This study has show that thousands of undetected cancers could be caught," Bradbury said. "We have to try and be our own advocates and understand our body a little bit more." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Call for NHS to give women with dense breasts extra cancer scans Permanent home approved for cancer support centre Breast cancer survivors 'at risk' of second illness University of Cambridge Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
