Businesswoman with back pain thought she had stress... but it was actually cancer

Persistent back pain, initially thought to be caused by stress and overwork, turned out to be the initial symptom of advanced breast cancer that had spread. The story of Giovana Nascimento , a 36-year-old Brazilian entrepreneur, has generated a stir and has sparked reflection on social media about the dangers of ignoring the body's persistent signals.

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For several months, Nascimento maintained a rigorous routine between her work commitments and her physical training sessions, receiving treatment for muscle tension. Her tiredness and discomfort were considered, even by experts, to be signs of emotional fatigue. However, in December 2024, the appearance of a swollen lymph node in her armpit and breathing problems triggered the final alert.

After arriving at the emergency room and undergoing a biopsy, doctors determined a complicated diagnosis: HER2-positive breast cancer with metastases to the bones and liver , along with a second nodule in situ. This type of cancer is associated with high aggressiveness and rapid spread to other organs.

The patient is currently undergoing an intensive chemotherapy regimen. The goal is to halt tumor progression and reduce the amount of disease, with the goal of later considering mastectomy surgery. So far, she has completed seven cycles of treatment.

Nascimento's case illustrates the challenges of early cancer diagnosis in young women with no medical history or risk factors. In this segment of the population, initial symptoms are often misinterpreted as common problems, such as muscle spasms, work-related fatigue, or stress.

Medical experts, such as oncologist Pedro Exman of the Oswaldo Cruz Hospital, emphasize the importance of evaluating ongoing symptoms such as masses, discomfort in specific areas, or unexplained fatigue with additional testing . Early diagnosis is crucial for improving the prognosis.

Giovana's experience, shared by her on social media, has gained widespread popularity as an example of perseverance, awareness, and breast cancer prevention.