By Jen Pharo
After her scary breast cancer battle, Julia Bradbury decided to take control of her health and undergo a fully body MRI – but soon she was embroiled in a new health scare. Determined to find the best ways to enhance her longevity for the sake of her husband Gerard Cunningham and their children, son Zephyrus, 13, and twins Xanthe and Zena, 10, Julia has undergone a series of rigorous health tests that have thrown up unexpected results.
“My breast cancer diagnosis made me start exploring all sorts of interesting avenues to do with personalised preventative health and medicine,” says Julia, 54, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and underwent a mastectomy. “Since I came out the other side I’m so much more grateful for every day I’m here on planet Earth. I’m very mindful of my health, and it has made me really take it seriously and honour it.”
Before she underwent her full MRI scan, Julia feared medics may find more breast cancer-related issues. When the results came though, they took her by surprise.
“I did a full body MRI scan, including my brain, chest region and abdominal region, looking for anything connected to my breast cancer. I’m grateful to say all’s good on that front,” says Julia. “But there was an unexpected discovery of a fortunately benign brain cyst, bang in the centre of my brain, next door to my pineal gland.”
Upon discovering the cyst, Julia contacted her friend, presenter Davina McCall, who had brain surgery in November last year to remove a colloidal cyst, and Davina put Julia in touch with her neurosurgeon. Thankfully she’s now in the safest of hands.
“My neurosurgeon Kevin O’Neill, who is Davina’s neurosurgeon, is not concerned,” says Julia. “I will be rechecking in six months’ time to check there are no signs of growth, that it isn’t taking up any valuable real estate in my brain.”
Now Julia knows about the cyst, she’s making sure she takes good care of her brain. Actions Julia is taking include giving up drinking, prioritising sleep, doing the right exercises for her age and eating a nutritionally sound diet. In September she’ll release her book Hack Yourself Healthy, in which she tells readers about all the different ways she’s found to optimise her wellbeing.
Julia has also had her DNA tested to find out which diseases she is genetically predisposed to developing. “I’ve done a baseline DNA test which shows me my blueprint DNA,” says Julia, who, as a naturally slim person, was shocked by the results.
“My DNA is wired towards Type 2 diabetes, which means I have to be careful of carbs. I need to be careful of my sugar load. I’ve had to give up my 11am doughnut and biscuits. I gave up my bag of Maltesers at night while watching TV. It was really, really tough, I’m not going to say it wasn’t.”
Julia is known for her love of the great outdoors and believes that taking walks in nature as often as possible also boosts her health. Which is why she’s thrilled to be joining Jules Hudson to host Today At The Great Yorkshire Show on 5.
“It’s one of the biggest agricultural shows in the UK,” says Julia. “You’ve got 8,000 animals and farmers and producers from across the UK who’ve been working hard for the last year or so to get themselves ready for this. And Jules and I are going to be there to capture all the joy and drama.”
Since overhauling her lifestyle and exploring all the different ways she can be healthier, Julia has found her whole life has changed.
“I feel so much better,” she says. “I think the benefits for me are 100-fold. If I get to spend longer on this earth and longer with my children, it’s worth it in spades.”
Today At The Great Yorkshire Show Live, airs on Thursday 10 & Friday 11 July, 8pm, on Channel 5.