Julia Bradbury opens up on emotional breast cancer journey in documentary 'Breast Cancer & Me'

Julia Bradbury gives a glimpse into what her life has looked like since last year's breast cancer diagnosis in an emotional documentary tonight, Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer & Me.

The Countryfile star was given a shock diagnosis of breast cancer in 2021 and has undergone a mastectomy and reconstruction since, which she has been open about with fans on social media.

Read more: Julia Bradbury celebrates wearing a bikini again for the first time since breast cancer op

An ITV documentary which will air tonight (Thursday) shows the past six months for Bradbury from diagnosis through to surgery and trying to make sense of her illness for her three young children.

In one emotional scene, she stands in front of a mirror and looks at her reconstructed breast for the first time since surgery, saying that she can't feel her own hand touching it and that "it's going to take some getting used to".

The documentary begins with Bradbury, 51, explaining that she had been asked to call her doctor for the results of a biopsy during filming for This Morning, but had put off the call as she was not prepared to hear her diagnosis while at work.

She also tells how one of her twin six-year-old daughters asked "am I still allowed to hug you, Mummy?" after she explained to her children that she was ill, while her 10-year-old son asked her whether cancer was "contagious like COVID".

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Emotional video diary entries show Bradbury tearing up as she prepares to go into surgery for her mastectomy.

She tells how she began self-isolating three nights before her operation, meaning no more hugs with her children until it was over because of COVID regulations.

A tearful Bradbury tells the camera: "It's an extra layer of complication that really makes this whole process even s*****er, if that's possible.

"I don't mind saying that I'm scared now and it's now real dread that I'm feeling.

"You hope it's a dream and you're wrong and this isn't what you're going to go through, but it is."

Bradbury's operation successfully removed her tumour and in the documentary, she tells how she is now considering her options for preventative treatment for the future.

Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer & Me airs tonight (Thursday) at 9pm on ITV.

Watch: Julia Bradbury discusses breast cancer documentary on This Morning