When TV presenter Josie Gibson discovered a lump in her breast, she immediately sought medical advice, fearing the worst. Fortunately, doctors confirmed the lump was linked to her breast implant and was not cancerous.
“I noticed a strange change—a lump at the side of my breast,” Josie recalls. “But after checking with my doctor, I was relieved it wasn’t breast cancer but related to my implant.”
The 40-year-old This Morning presenter had breast implants for about a decade before deciding to have them removed. “I became so anxious about them that I took them out—and honestly, I felt incredible afterward,” she shares.
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This experience heightened Josie’s awareness of breast cancer, motivating her to collaborate with Breast Cancer Now and bingo brand tombola on their ‘Eyes Down, Check Up’ campaign. Through this initiative, she has learned how vital it is to recognize various changes in breast health.
“I’m no expert, but now I understand you need to look for more than lumps,” Josie explains. “Changes in skin texture, dimpling, color shifts, nipple changes or crusting, any discharge, or uneven breast size—all these can be warning signs.”
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK, with a diagnosis occurring every ten minutes. Alarmingly, research by tombola reveals that almost half of women do not regularly check their breasts, and one in ten cannot recall the last time they did.
“The statistics are frightening,” Josie admits. “My friends and I now include breast checks in our conversations. It might be a tough subject, but starting these talks can be life-saving.”
As a single mother to seven-year-old Reggie, Josie understands the challenges of maintaining health amidst a busy lifestyle. “I try to stay active, but my schedule is unpredictable,” she says. “Sometimes I’m traveling and sitting a lot, which isn’t ideal. Honestly, trains with treadmills would be a dream!”
Despite these hurdles, Josie keeps up with gym classes when possible and enjoys walking, running, and strength exercises. Earlier this year, she endured gout, which she attributes to the indulgent lifestyle of traveling and fine dining while filming Around The World In First Class. Since then, she’s embraced healthier eating habits and balances cooking for her son when time allows.
Motherhood is Josie’s greatest joy and priority. “It’s demanding but rewarding. Reggie is kind, funny, and a true blessing. I sometimes wish I had more children, but one is perfect for me.”
Currently, Josie is channeling her energy into transforming an Eighties home in the West Country into a sustainable eco-friendly residence, a project featured on ITV’s Josie Gibson’s Big Country Build. She plans to embrace environmentally friendly materials and live off the land with beekeeping and gardening on her orchard.
Despite facing challenges and slight delays, Josie remains resilient. “This has been my dream for years, and I’m excited to see it come to life.”
Josie’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of regular breast checks and open conversations about health. Her advocacy aims to encourage women to make breast awareness a natural part of their lives.