«You have to live here and now». The story of the oncological treatment of TV presenter Olga Kucher

"Cancer is not a death sentence!" This is what is said in social advertising and is most often heard from people who have overcome this disease. However, not everyone who receives a cancer diagnosis has enough knowledge and strength to start fighting cancer quickly and effectively.

Kucher Olga

Ukrainian journalist and TV presenter.

MEDplus asked Ukrainian journalist and TV presenter Olga Kucher, a thyroid cancer survivor, how to win the battle against cancer and live and create fully:

Olga, how did you find out about your diagnosis?

I was diagnosed with thyroid nodules when I was a teenager. The doctors did not tell me if they were benign or malignant. They simply recommended that I undergo tests and monitor their development.

The situation remained unchanged for a long time until I became pregnant. During a routine ultrasound, the doctor emphasized that I should see an endocrinologist after giving birth.

A year after the birth of my child, I remembered the doctor’s recommendation and went for an examination. Although I was sure that I was fine and did not have cancer, I was sent to a specialized center for a biopsy. The results of the test were unexpected — I had a tumor on my thyroid that had to be removed. Fortunately, only half of my thyroid wasremoved, not the whole gland.

What concerns did you face, and how did you overcome them?

When I was diagnosed with cancer, the first emotion I faced was fear. Fear for my life. This is a common reaction to news that radically affects your quality of life. And this is where you need to give yourself time to live this emotion, to find support, and to find your own way to deal with this diagnosis.

In addition to fearing for my own life, I was also worried about my child. I didn’t know if I would be able to feed her. That increased my anxiety.

Who or what helped you stay strong during treatment?

At first, I was supported by people who learned about my diagnosis with me — doctors, my husband, and my child. The doctors reassured me and explained that I had a fairly simple form of cancer that was treatable. My husband and small child gave me support, a chance to relax psychologically, and motivation to go through this difficult journey.

Later, I had to tell about my diagnosis at work because I needed to deal with the treatment. Therefore, my colleagues also supported and inspired me to fight cancer through their example. For instance, my colleague, Iryna Zaslavets, inspired me with her story. She had a complicated cancer that required a bone marrow transplant.

What advice can you give to people who are currently fighting cancer?

The first thing I would advise is not to postpone life! The thought “I will start living after the operation or when I recover” is wrong. You have to live here and now! We have one life, and we do not know what will happen to us tomorrow. That is why it is worth finding the strength to fight cancer.

Stories of people who have gone into remission are also very helpful. They do not leave you alone with your disease and help you to realize that other people have been diagnosed with cancer too. Such stories are very inspiring and make me believe that I too will recover soon.

How do you think the cancer rate can be reduced?

I advise everyone not to ignore regular medical check-ups. Often, people are afraid to go for a check-up because they are scared to hear a diagnosis of cancer, but in fact, deciding to take this step is much more important than later facing complex and dangerous consequences.