Julia Bradbury and Jake Quickenden opened up about their cancer experiences for a charity campaign on Wednesday.
The BBC and ITV presenter, 54, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021 before undergoing a mastectomy to have her 6cm tumour removed.
And the Countryfile presenter opened up about her experiences for Macmillan Cancer Support as she posed for photographs to launch the charity’s annual coffee morning.
She was joined by influencer Jake, 35 who lost both his father and brother to cancer and has been campaigning to encourage people to get check ups.
The stars were photographed and interviewed by celebrity photographer Rankin alongside ITV Loose Women presenter Charlene White who lost her mother to bowel cancer, and singer and actress Brenda Edwards who herself was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Julia Bradbury, 54, and Jake Quickenden, 35, have opened up about their cancer experiences for a new charity campaign
The BBC and ITV presenter was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021 before undergoing a mastectomy to have her 6cm tumour removed
In the interview, Julia revealed that her world stopped when she heard her cancer diagnosis before revealing that she almost didn’t go to her follow-up appointments.
She said: ‘I found a lump in my breast which was originally diagnosed as a cluster of benign micro-cysts, and I had to have another mammogram as a follow up.
‘The scan, which included an ultrasound and a physical examination, hadn’t returned anything alarming, so I almost didn’t go to my follow up appointment.
‘However, the follow up a year later was lifesaving as my doctor discovered a small shadow on my breast, which turned out to be cancerous.
‘When you hear the words ‘you have cancer’ your world stops. They’re words no one wants to hear – it’s a club that no one wants to be part of and yet so many are.
‘Any cancer diagnosis is a journey, and that journey is different for everyone. It’s a startling statistic that 1 in 7 women in their lifetime will get breast cancer.’
The presenter has been very candid about her cancer struggles, previously revealing on Good Morning Britain that her diagnosis changed her life.
Back in January 2023, the star took to Instagram to share a reel documenting her life since being diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021.
Back in January 2023, the star took to Instagram to share a reel documenting her life since being diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021
Jake’s brother Oliver was diagnosed with osteosarcoma – the most common form of bone cancer – in 2010 when he was just 16 and died two years later
Julia, who is married to property developer Gerard Cunningham, underwent a mastectomy after publicly announcing her diagnosis.
Reflecting on her battle with breast cancer, Julia shared photographs of herself from across the year as she spoke about how she has changed her life.
She said she had given up alcohol, changed her diet and now prioritizes sleep as she spoke about the lifestyle changes she has implemented to reduce her risk of her cancer returning.
The reel also included some emotional moments from throughout her cancer battle, including her attending her breast screening and in a hospital bed for treatment.
TV personality Jack has previously revealed his heartbreak at losing his younger Oliver to cancer 12 years ago after his father passed away from bone cancer just two years earlier.
He told Rankin: ‘When Oliver got diagnosed, I felt like I needed to protect my younger brother, and then I couldn’t. I couldn’t help him. That’s something that stayed with me for a long time – the fact that I failed as an older brother, even though I know I didn’t, that’s how I feel.’
Jack’s younger brother injured his knee playing football and scans revealed he had osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
He tragically passed away aged just 19.
Jack added: ‘Oliver had the condition in his bones, so we could never have detected anything from the outside – but it’s really important we raise awareness of the soft tissue lump checks as they can literally be lifesaving. Just by checking our bodies properly, we can help to make a real difference, and early detection can save lives.
The former X Factor star also admitted that he suffers from health anxiety after experiencing the ‘traumatic’ deaths of his family members.
Jake had his testicles examined live on Loose Men in 2022 to raise awareness for cancer
Loose Women presenter Charlene White also joined the campaign in the hopes of encouraging people to donate to Macmillan’s coffee mornings
Her mother Dorrett (right) was diagnosed at 42 years old and survived for four years with the diagnosis before dying
He revealed in October last year: ‘I think it’s one of the reasons why I get health anxiety. It took me years to process the fact not every lump, not every headache is going to be [cancer].’
In a bid to encourage people not to be afraid of getting checked for cancer, Jack had a testicular cancer check live on Loose Women in 2022.
TV presenter Charlene White also joined the campaign in the hopes of encouraging people to donate to Macmillan’s coffee mornings.
The Loose Women host is a passionate campaigner after losing her mother to bowel cancer when she was 21.
Charlene, 44, revealed that he mother required round-the-clock care and Macmillan nurses stayed overnight to help her father care for her.
She encouraged people to get tests and seek treatment as soon as they spot any signs.
Macmillan’s annual Coffee Morning will take place across the UK on Friday 27 September.
Singer and actress Brenda Edwards who herself was diagnosed with breast cancer praised Macmillan Cancer Support
