BBC Countryfile star Julia Bradbury discovers further health issue during scan
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After successfully overcoming breast cancer, Julia Bradbury took charge of her health with an aim to boost her overall wellbeing – that's when a fresh health concern surfaced. Eager to ensure she could enjoy a long life with her husband Gerard Cunningham and their children, son Zephyrus, 13, and twins Xanthe and Zena, 10, Julia underwent extensive health examinations.
"My breast cancer diagnosis made me start exploring all sorts of interesting avenues to do with personalised preventative health and medicine," shares Julia, 54, who received the life-changing diagnosis in 2021. "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."
Julia didn't just sit back; she pursued a thorough full body MRI scan to assess her health status. While nervous about finding further issues related to her previous breast cancer, the results actually revealed something entirely unexpected.
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"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," Julia recounts. "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 finding a cyst, Julia reached out to her mate, telly star Davina McCall, who underwent brain surgery last November to have a colloidal cyst removed. Top neurosurgeon Kevin O'Neill, who treated Davina, is now looking after Julia's case, reports the Mirror.
"My neurosurgeon Kevin O'Neill, who is Davina's neurosurgeon, is not concerned," Julia divulged. "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."
Julia's taking brain health seriously now, focusing on sufficient kip, age-appropriate exercise and eating a balanced diet. Come September, she's dropping her book 'Hack Yourself Healthy', dishing on all the tips she's found for boosting one's health.
She's also undergone DNA testing to get the lowdown on disease risks she might face. "I've done a baseline DNA test which shows me my blueprint DNA," revealed Julia, who was stunned to discover she needed to watch her diet.
"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, a well-known outdoor enthusiast, credits spending time in nature with improving her overall health. She's excited to co-host Today At The Great Yorkshire Show on 5 alongside Jules Hudson, showcasing one of the UK's largest agricultural events.
"It's one of the biggest agricultural shows in the UK," Julia explains. "It features 8,000 animals, as well as farmers and producers from across the UK who've spent the past year preparing for this. Jules and I will be on hand to capture all the excitement and drama."
Since adopting a healthier lifestyle and exploring various ways to improve her wellbeing, Julia has experienced a significant transformation.
"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."
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