Entertainment
Julia Bradbury gives up alcohol to help stop cancer returning after previously being able to ‘drink everybody under the table’-Rachael O'Connor-Entertainment – Metro
The star says her number one motivation is to stay healthy for her three kids.
Julia Bradbury has given up alcohol as part of her new healthier approach to life (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Julia Bradbury has revealed the new approach she has to life to help stop her cancer from returning, including giving up alcohol.
The 51-year-old TV presenter, best known for her shows on nature and travel, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, which she shared publicly that September.
She was diagnosed with a 5cm tumour in her left breast, and in October 2021 underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction.
The mum is doing everything to ‘increase [her] odds’ against the ‘bad luck’ of cancer, as her ‘biggest motivation is staying alive for [her] children.’
She and husband Gerard Cunningham share three children together: 10-year-old son Zephyr, and twin daughters Xanthe and Zena, aged seven.
Julia now says she has given up alcohol as part of the process, saying she previously had a reputation for being able to ‘drink everybody else under the table.’
The star has spoken openly across social media and TV about the illness in the hopes to raise awareness of the disease (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
In an interview with Woman&Home Magazine, for which she is starring in a cover shoot, she revealed that she is currently ‘not comfortable with drinking alcohol.’
‘If I drink one unit of alcohol a day, my risk of recurrence is between five and six per cent across my lifetime,’ she explained.
‘With four units a day, it goes up to 28 per cent.’
Julia says her number one motivation is staying healthy for her three children (Picture: Instagram/ therealjuliabradbury )
Julia was ‘considered healthy’ when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, but says she was eating refined sugar ‘every day,’ which she says is ‘toxic and disrupts the hormone balance.’
‘I’m a positive person, and I’m trying to use my resilience and health to make a positive impact on my body,’ she explained.
The Countryfile presenter has been open about her diagnosis and treatment for cancer, aiming to raise awareness about the disease.
The mum-of-three appeared in a deeply intimate documentary about her battle with cancer (Picture: ITV)
How should you check your breasts for lumps or irregularities?
Discussing the importance of being breast aware, Addie Mitchell, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Now, wants women to know there is no right or wrong way to check your breasts.
‘It’s about looking and feeling regularly so any changes can be spotted quickly,’ she said. ‘The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment may be.
‘Whatever your age, being aware of all the signs and symptoms of breast cancer is crucial – it’s not just a lump to look out for. Other changes could be a nipple becoming inverted or a change in texture of the skin.
‘While most symptoms won’t mean breast cancer, if you notice anything unusual for you get it checked out by your GP.
‘Anyone with questions can call Breast Cancer Now’s nurses free on 0808 800 6000 or visit breastcancernow.org.uk.’
In May of this year, the star featured in an intensely personal documentary Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer and Me, which followed her experience of having the disease.
It saw her speak about her diagnosis, as well as the difficult moment she told her young children about her illness.
Julia previously said she made the one-hour film to ‘raise awareness of the devastating disease’ and to make those who are affected by cancer ‘feel less alone’.
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She told the PA news agency at the time: ‘It was a big decision to go on to make such a personal film, especially when my family and I were going through so much.
‘But my motivation was to raise awareness of this devastating disease, and I hoped that by giving an open and honest account of my experiences I could help others affected by breast cancer to feel less alone.’
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
MORE : Julia Bradbury says breakthrough cancer treatment ‘could’ve saved left breast’
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