Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury has revealed she waited six weeks before seeking medical advice after discovering a painful lump in her left breast during a work trip to Costa Rica before lockdown. The 49-year-old mother of three initially dismissed the lump, attributing it to non-cancerous causes due to the absence of family history and her own breastfeeding history.
Bradbury admitted that the pressures of family life, work commitments, and the onset of the coronavirus pandemic contributed to her delay. She felt guilty about burdening the NHS during the crisis and was reluctant to visit a hospital perceived as a high-risk environment for COVID-19.
It was only after a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer that Bradbury sought help. She had a Zoom appointment with her GP, who referred her to a private breast cancer specialist. Bradbury was reassured that a special referral pathway ensures patients are seen within two weeks, regardless of insurance status.
Bradbury's experience highlights a broader trend: NHS data shows GP appointments have dropped by over 25% during lockdown, and urgent cancer referrals have fallen by around 75%. She urges others not to delay seeking medical help, stressing that early detection significantly improves outcomes.
