Russian television presenter and singer Maria Gladkikh has publicly reassured her oncologist that she will complete her skin cancer treatment before embarking on a demanding physical fitness tour in China.
Writing on her Instagram account, Gladkikh stated that she plans to participate in a commercial trip in October to the Shaolin Monastery. The upcoming retreat will require intensive physical training, despite her doctors having previously banned her from exercising following her diagnosis.
Addressing her oncologist, Murat Eduardovich, in a message posted to her social media stories, Gladkikh urged him not to worry about her travel plans. She assured him that she would only travel to Shaolin after finishing her cancer therapy and having her surgical stitches removed by him.
Medical diagnosis and follower reactions
Gladkikh announced in early August that she had been diagnosed with melanoma, a malignant form of skin cancer. The malignant tumor was detected during one of her routine medical examinations.
Melanoma is a serious skin cancer that develops in the pigment-producing cells of the skin. Early stage treatment typically involves surgical excision of the cancerous tissue, after which patients must refrain from heavy exertion while healing.
Following her initial announcement, the presenter admitted that she was shocked by the responses she received from some of her social media followers. She expressed surprise after multiple subscribers advised her to avoid visiting doctors so frequently, claiming it would prevent her from discovering health issues.
Shaolin retreat and platform context
The destination for her planned trip, the Shaolin Monastery, is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Henan province, China. Renowned worldwide as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and traditional martial arts, the monastery hosts physical training programs and spiritual retreats for international visitors.
Gladkikh shared her health updates on Instagram, a social media platform owned by Meta Platforms. Meta is classified as an extremist organization by authorities and is officially prohibited from operating within the Russian Federation.
