Katarzyna Piekarska, a member of the Polish parliament, reflected on her emotional journey following the diagnosis of breast cancer recurrence. She admitted that the recent news was more devastating than her initial diagnosis three years prior, despite her feeling of having overcome the disease through regular health check-ups. Piekarska recounted her initial reaction of despair, notably expressing concern for her elderly dog who is unwell, and humorously stated that if her dog outlives her, life would be tougher for it. Her introspective moment led her to write a detailed script for her own funeral, illustrating the depth of her emotional turmoil during this challenging time.

After coming to terms with her diagnosis, Piekarska began analyzing cancer statistics, discovering two critical points. Firstly, the high recovery rates for breast cancer, especially when detected early, highlighted the importance of proactive health measures. Secondly, she uncovered a worrying trend: both Polish men and women are significantly less likely to undergo regular health screenings compared to the European average, which leads to increased mortality rates that could otherwise be prevented by early detection. Piekarska's experience underscores the dire need for public health initiatives aimed at encouraging regular screenings to improve cancer outcomes in Poland.