Popular ABC presenter Julia Baird is forced off air as she faces another major health battle - years after having basketball-sized tumour removed

Popular ABC presenter and author Julia Baird has revealed her recent absence from TV screens has been to prepare for surgery.

Seven years ago, The Drum host disclosed that she had a tumour the 'size of a basketball' removed from her stomach, which had grown out of advanced ovarian cancer.

And on Tuesday, the 55-year-old journalist and author posted a long and heartfelt message on her Instagram account explaining she had another fight ahead of her - which is why she hasn't appeared on the panel show recently.

'To all of those who have written to ask why I have not been on The Drum in the past few months, thank you,' Baird wrote.

'I am due to go in for more surgery this week, and it will take a good while to recover, so I will not be back on air until next year.'

Ms Baird said she would also be 'taking a break' from her regular columns in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age and her recent appointment as editor-at-large of Harper's Bazaar magazine.

She thanked all those who had been wishing her well.

'I am also grateful for all of the kind and encouraging messages you lot send,' she wrote.

'I try to get back to everyone, but if I fail to, please know, I read them and am buoyed by them.'

She finished the post by writing: 'Anyway, signing out for a bit, and sending love.'

Colleagues, including some of the biggest names in Australian journalism, and other public figures, flocked to her Twitter feed to wish her all the best.

'Oh I am so sorry to read this Julia,' wrote Nine news presenter Georgie Dent.

'The torment your body has endured is so cruel. That your mind and heart remain searingly sharp and gloriously generous is inexplicable. Sending you and your clan every ounce of strength, love and fierce anti-cancer fast-recovery cells. xx'

'Thanks so much love. Torment is right! But onwards xx,' Baird replied.

ABC Mediawatch host Paul Barry said he admired Baird's bravery.

'So sorry to hear you're going another round. It's unfair, but you have been so brave about it, and we're all cheering for you. See you back on The Drum soon. PB,' he wrote.

Baird replied 'thanks so much Paul'.

Ten journalist Hugh Rimington simply wrote 'Sending love back, Julia'.

'Sending love Julia. Hope you're feeling much better soon and can seek out some moments of awe over the next few months x,' tweeted SBS presenter Jennie Brockie.

Documentary maker and writer Benjamin Law wrote: 'Sending love and strength, JB. Hope recovery is speedy and you're getting all the rest you need.'

Nine morning show presenter and singer David Campbell had a simple message: 'Get better Julia.'

There were also messages of support from Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin, ABC radio presenter Wendy Harmer, former MP Julia Banks and former head of the AMA Kerryn Phelps.

In her Instagram post Baird expressed how much she loves 'all of this work' that she does in media.

'It's a joy and a privilege, so for those who watch, read and engage, thank you,' she said.

'Being part of a community of readers, thinkers, debaters, big-hearted people, light-seekers and hunters of awe and wonder is one of the best things about being a writer and a journalist.

'I met so many wonderful people while working at the Herald, the ABC and so many of you after writing my last book. I don't take it for granted.'

Baird's last book 'Phosphorescence' was a memoir that won numerous awards including the Australian Book Industry Book of the Year Award 2021.

The book, which published in March 2020, is subtitled 'A memoir of finding joy when your world goes dark'.

In 2015 Baird wrote about the experience of being diagnosed with cancer and finding out she had a tumour in her body.

'It was a mass the size of a basketball, living in between my belly button and my spine,' she wrote.

'Soon I was almost waddling with it. A dark, murderous infant. I wasn't sure if I wanted to be operated on or exorcised.'

Baird is the daughter of prominent former Liberal politician Bruce Baird and sister of ex-NSW Premier Mike Baird. The mother-of-two lives in Sydney.