Rebecca Manzi The cat Clarisse helped journalist Elayne discover breast cancer: thanks to her, she noticed a lump. Early diagnosis is allowing her to catch the disease in time and offering her hope for recovery
Sometimes pets save us in unexpected ways. This is what happened to journalist Elayne Costa, 38, from Fortaleza. Her cat, Clarisse, had the habit of climbing onto her owner’s chest every evening and “making biscuits” with her little paws. During one of those tender moments, however, Elayne felt a discomfort in her right breast and noticed a lump.
From simple discomfort to discovery, everything happened quickly. Two days later, Elayne consulted a specialist who initially thought it was a fluid-filled cyst, but further tests confirmed something more serious: grade 3 breast cancer, triple-negative type, the most aggressive among the four known types.
The importance of early diagnosis
Early diagnosis was crucial thanks to Clarisse’s attention and Elayne’s immediate decision to get checked. Despite the aggressiveness of the tumor, the journalist began chemotherapy, facing harsh symptoms like weight loss, vomiting, fainting, and pain, but never losing hope and determination. “If I had postponed it, perhaps the story would have been different” Elayne recounted, emphasizing how paying attention to body signals can save your life.
After months of treatment, Elayne celebrated the end of chemotherapy, sharing her journey on social media and remembering how each session was a physical and emotional challenge. Now she is preparing to undergo breast removal and wants to face this new phase with courage and a touch of irony.
The bond between her and her cat proved decisive: Clarisse not only gave her comfort during these difficult months, but with a simple daily gesture also alerted her to a problem that could have gone unnoticed. Elayne’s story underscores the importance of listening to your body without ever underestimating when something is wrong.
