Julia Bradbury had a cancer scare in lockdown.
The 49-year-old television presenter decided to delay visiting her GP until she returned to the UK after finding a lump on her breast while working in Costa Rica, but when the country went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she had to wait to seek medical advice.
She told Closer magazine: "I felt a lump and it was sore… but when I got home, it was lockdown and I was distracted with the family and life took over.
"It was so scary. As I was going to see the breast specialist, the feelings and thought were swirling. I kept thinking, ‘I hope this is all right.’ It was my first mammogram. I’ve got tiny boobs and it was more an issue of finding enough to flatten in the machine!"
Julia – who has son Zephyr, eight, and twin daughters Zena and Xanthe, five with her partner Gerard Cunningham – was given the all-clear after the lump was found to be benign but the stress of her health mixed with the anxiety of lockdown led to a "complete wobble".
She continued: "It was such a relief. I like to think I’m mentally strong, but I had a complete wobble and couldn’t stop crying – and that’s fine. You have to admit when you feel emotional or stressed and let your emotions out. Keeping them trapped inside is bad for you."
However, the experience has made the former ‘Countryfile’ presenter – who turns 50 next month – appreciate her life in lockdown with her family.
She explained: "I’m not unduly cautious, but I do keep on top of it with ‘MOT’ checks. I certainly don’t feel like I am about to turn 50!
"I’ve loved being at home with the children. Normally, I would have probably been away three times for work by now, so the sense of togetherness has been lovely … And despite the cancer scare, overall, I’m incredibly lucky. I have my kids, we have a garden, I talk to my parents, and I get cuddles every day."