ZUZANNA

I am Zuzanna Zowicz.  I am a Fighter and proud of what I went through. 

My life changed forever in December 2018 when I found a lump in my left breast. Unfortunately, amid the hustle bustle of daily life, I chose to overlook it initially. It wasn't until I tuned into The Lorraine Show and encountered a powerful campaign urging women to look out for any abnormalities in their breasts that I was jolted into action. With much trepidation , I promptly booked an appointment with my GP, sensing the impending gravity of the situation. Thus commenced a whirlwind of hospital visits, exhaustive tests, and a nerve-wracking biopsy, marking the start of a roller-coaster journey ahead.

Following these tests I was diagnosed with Primary Breast Cancer. 

I had a lumpectomy in January 2019 and was told that I would also need chemotherapy. This was a very difficult time for me because all my family were in Poland. My Sister, however, was with me going through all of this both bad and good. 

 I had 6 cycles of chemotherapy and more surgery.  I remember the Macmillan nurse told me about Maggie’s Manchester.  So, after one of my visits to The Christies Hospital I went to find Maggies. I was surprised at how peaceful and quiet it was there. I remember sitting down next to the fireplace and one of their fantastic ladies brought me a coffee and began chatting with me and listening to me. This was a fantastic experience and from this moment I felt in love with Maggies and wanted to try to come more often. I was really interested by the work of Maggies.  

I then went through 20 cycles of radiotherapy. This was difficult but in September 2019 I was told I was clear from cancer. That was the best feeling ever. 

Just the day after my last radiotherapy I went joined in on the Maggie’s Culture Crawl. What a fantastic experience to be part of this event and I met so many incredible people and was able to raise valuable founds for Maggies. 

Not long after I did the Sky Dive for Christies which I thought was very scary.  

On 17 October 2021 I was tacking  part at Maggies on the Runway as a model on a catwalk!  I was very proud and honoured to do this and support Maggies fantastic work.  

I can say that awareness is so very important and now in the company where I work there are cards to show how to check and what to look for when checking out for change in breasts.   These cards are from The Lorraine Campaign. 

Last year around June 2023 I start getting pain in my lower back.  I honestly thought this was because I pulled my back at work.  The pain had gone worse in a short time.  

I went to see my GP and she sent me for an MRI scan.  When results come back I was told is Metastatic (secondary) breast cancer. 

My world crashed again. My oncologist said it is incurable Breast Cancer also known as Stage 4, now. I was lost,  angry and upset as to why this happened to me.  

But I thought if I will be like this nothing good will come from that.  I turned all that to positives and HOPE for the future. This is why one of the most important awareness messages has to be about signs and symptoms what to looking for with Breast Cancer and don't be ignoring them. 

When I  was told I was cancer free no one mentioned of what to be aware of regarding reoccurrence or return of disease.  

So I want to raise AWARENESS AND HOPE for everyone.