I’m proud of my TV film on cancer fight, says Bradbury
BROADCASTER JULIA Bradbury said it was a big decision to film her battle with breast cancer but was delighted the film had encouraged people to seek support.
The number of people who called Breast Cancer Now’s free helpline following Bradbury’s ITV documentary Breast Cancer And Me increased by 21 per cent compared with the same week a year earlier.
At the time of the broadcast there was also a 78 per cent increase in visits to the charity’s website, compared to the same time on the previous day.
The hour-long film, which aired on April 28, followed Bradbury as she came to terms with her diagnosis and prepared to undergo a single mastectomy.
The TV presenter, 51, who was raised in Sheffield, said she filmed the documentary to “raise awareness of the devastating
disease” and to help those affected by breast cancer to “feel less alone”.
She said: “It was never the documentary that I wanted to make but before my breast cancer diagnosis was confirmed I had started charting the discovery of a lump in my left breast on social media and in the press to encourage women – and men – to check themselves and attend screening programmes if they were offered.
“It was a big decision to go on to make such a personal film, especially when my family and I were going through so much, but my motivation was to raise awareness of this devastating disease.
“I hoped that by giving an open and honest account of my experiences I could help others affected by breast cancer to feel less alone.
“I’m proud of the film. The team have done a brilliant job capturing the emotional and psychological impact that a cancer diagnosis can have on a family.
“I know Breast Cancer And Me has helped other people on their own breast cancer journeys and helped friends and family understand the complexities of getting a cancer diagnosis and the profound impact it has on your life.”
She was “delighted” with the response.