Aga Szuścik is a brand synonymous with a strong woman, social activist, educator and influencer. When asked by Martyna Kaczmarek how she “defines herself”, she replies that “defining herself has always been a kind of pressure for her”. – I prefer to use verbs and say that I educate about gynecology, oncology and prevention. I work in the field of patient experience, I arrange gynecological offices, I do audits there. I do all sorts of research. I am a lecturer, I conduct various types of training, she explains. – I am also a photographer, an artist. I do a lot of things and they may seem incoherent, but I feel them as very coherent – adds Aga Szu¶cik.
On my own terms
In 2018, Aga Szu¶cik was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She underwent surgery to remove the uterus. In 2019, she was diagnosed with metastases and underwent two more surgeries. She underwent many series of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy. She is healthy now, tests show no cancer markers. He emphasizes that he now lives and works on his own terms.
He says about the diagnosis that it is something we never expect. – I had no symptoms. I considered myself a very conscious person who knows about care, health and the body. I knew what the glycemic index was, how to choose a bra, etc. I thought I knew a lot, and as long as I don’t have any symptoms, nothing bothers me, I don’t need to go to the doctor. Finally, I went to the gynecologist for cytology and I found out that I had cervical cancer, says Aga Szu¶cik. She was 32 then.
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Prevention is body contact
The experience of the disease and the treatment proved to her how strong the body is, how much it will do to survive and stay alive. – My relationship with the body is an extremely important factor – emphasizes Aga. – Before the diagnosis, I treated my body as a partner in the company on the basis that we have a signed contract and we cannot separate. I would get up in the morning and think: I wonder what this partner of mine will do next. I wanted to cover up, cover up or pass over all the mistakes of this partner. When any imperfections on my skin showed up, my answer was to apply another layer of foundation – he says.
Illness and treatment made Aga Szuścik listen to her body. “I started asking my body if there was anything else I could check, just common sense to make sure I was okay,” she explains. The most important thing is to check yourself regularly. “People confuse the terms “being diagnosed” and “getting sick” all the time. I was diagnosed in 2018, but I was ill before that. Cancer takes a long time to develop. Older people can be sick for many years, and at some point they are diagnosed. Cancer is a disease that affects all people, all organs, all professions, it is democratic, said Aga Szu¶cik. – Prevention is not looking for cancer, it is contact with your body, checking if everything is ok – she added.
So what to do? Be attentive to messages, do research and don’t be afraid of a diagnosis. – This is an atavistic mechanism based on the fact that if I can meet a dangerous animal, I prefer not to meet it – says Aga Szu¶cik. Early diagnosis saves lives. It is not true that there is no cure for cancer. There are many treatments, and when treated right away, the chances of a cure are great.
Get tested!
The basic tests that Aga Szu¶cik encourages women to do are cytology – standard and so-called liquid ultrasound, vaginal and breast ultrasound and mammography. As he emphasizes, these tests are reimbursed. Monthly breast self-examination is also important – Aga regularly shows how to do it on her Instagram profile. Unfortunately, women still go to the gynecologist too rarely. – There are many places in Poland where going to a gynecologist’s office is an embarrassment – says Aga. On its website there is information about the possibility of undergoing free, reimbursed examinations. There is also a Great List of Gynecologists and Gynecologists you can trust. The names of doctors are sent by people from the community gathered around Aga, and then these candidates are checked and verified.
– Sometimes I have the impression that patients are sitting in one room, and doctors in another. I go from one room to another and pass on what both said, says Aga. It also reminds you that communication is important during a doctor’s visit. It is worth remembering that a gynecologist’s questions about whether a woman is planning a pregnancy, whether she has sex and whether she uses contraception are not meddling, but collecting necessary information. However, it is important how the doctor asks questions and what they suggest. Each crossing of borders requires a reaction. “When something bad happens, we can interrupt the visit at any time and leave,” he says.
What harmful myths related to gynecological examinations and women’s health does Aga Szuścik fight on a daily basis? It is primarily a statement that “cancer is an absolute sentence”, because life shows that this is not the case. Others concern the already mentioned prophylaxis and treatment. He also says that there are still many myths around, for example, wearing tampons during menstruation or using panty liners. Aga Szu¶cik explains that wearing pads regularly can lead to intimate infections.
Acceptance and support
Martyna Kaczmarek, founder of the Cia³o¶æ Foundation, promotes topics related to body positivity and acceptance of one’s body. She was the first plus-size model in the house of Top Model. It works for comprehensive support for people who struggle with eating disorders and experience discrimination based on their appearance.
The partner of the “Cia³o¶æ” podcasts as part of the #morethancia³o series is Deichman. It is an area of important meetings and talks. Here exceptional women share their experiences. The presence of Deichmann is not a coincidence here, because the brand has been supporting and inspiring women for years. The ambassador of the Deichmann campaign is the singer Sylwia Grzeszczak, whose music emanates positive energy.
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Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
