Julia Bradbury has published mammography photos to raise awareness about breast cancer and the greater risks connected with having thick breasts.
The television personality was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021, had a single mastectomy in October, and is currently in remission.
The 53-year-old, who has publicly discussed her struggle and recovery, was also keen to emphasise how difficult it was for her to acquire her diagnosis in the first place owing to the composition of her breasts.
‘It took an ultrasound and a full year to finally confirm my condition,’ she said.
On Wednesday, the Countryfile presenter and walking aficionado observed World Dense Breast Day by sharing photographs of herself receiving a mammogram as well as the exam itself.
Julia was spotted snapping a selfie as the process was being performed, leaning towards the equipment, and she also posted photographs of herself posing with her chest covered and a glance at the real image of her own breast from the mammography.
‘I have dense breasts. What does that mean? It means cancerous tumours are more difficult to see on a mammogram. One doctor described it as looking for a snowflake in a snowstorm,’ she explained in the caption.
The actress also offered an explanation for thick breasts, noting that it is characterised by a larger proportion of glandular and fibrous tissue than fatty tissue.
Describing the issues this had caused her, she continued: ‘My tumour was missed on two separate occasions when I went for a mammogram to investigate a lump I could feel in my left breast.
‘It took an ultrasound and an entire year to finally confirm my diagnosis.’
She concluded with an inspiring call to action, urging her fans to help ‘raise awareness about the issues of thick breasts and underline the significance of getting further screenings’.
Julia was nominated in the written documentary category at the National Television Awards in October for her candid ITV film Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer and Me, but lost to Kate Garraway’s documentary Caring For Derek.
Julia said on the red carpet at the NTAs at Wembley Arena that it was ‘amazing’ to be there and honoured for her documentary about her illness and treatment.
She also declared a wish to live off the grid earlier this year, as she believes in the ‘power and value’ of nature.
Speaking to The Sun, the star – who lives in London – said: ‘I’d love to live off grid. I love the idea of it [although] I’m not sure practically how that would work with my partner’s work!
‘I’d like to disappear into a jungle for three months of the year and just go and live that kind of life, call it an extended I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, only without eating the kangaroo a***holes!’
Julia added that nature can be ‘incredibly good for our health’.
Her son Zephyr, 12, and twin sisters Zena and Xanthe, 8, are the children of her real estate developer spouse Gerard Cunningham.
