Mother and 13-year-old daughter face cancer treatment together in RO Tereza Ramalho, 39, was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2025. After a year of facing the disease, her 13-year-old daughter, Stefanny Ramalho, discovered Hodgkin's lymphoma. The two undergo treatment together at Hospital de Amor, in Porto Velho. "I try to be strong so I don't see her sad", says the mother. Tereza discovered cancer after feeling severe pain in her breasts. At her sister's insistence, she decided to have a mammogram, even though she was below the age normally recommended for screening, which is 40 years old. “I even joked with my sister, I said I was too young, but due to her insistence and that of a friend I decided to do it”, says Tereza. By the time the diagnosis was confirmed, the cancer had already spread to her armpits, spine and lungs. For a year and a half, she has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions. At the beginning of this year, in the midst of her own treatment, Tereza saw her daughter Stefanny being hospitalized with fever attacks. The tests showed Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. "When we arrived at Hospital de Amor, the doctor no longer allowed us to return to Colorado. Her neck was already 'square' and her chest was full of nodules", reports the mother. Tereza and her daughter Stefanny together Personal archive - Tereza Ramalho de Oliveira Changes in life A resident of Colorado do Oeste, in the interior of Rondônia, Tereza traveled to the capital every 20 days, traveling more than 750 kilometers. Between one stage and another, she returned to the city to work and be close to her three daughters. However, with the confirmation of the disease, Stefanny began to undergo daily monitoring. Therefore, both had to move to Porto Velho. The girl left school because of the treatment and Tereza, who worked as an app driver, left the profession to take care of her daughter. In Porto Velho, mother and daughter live in the house of Tereza's brother. She receives the Continuous Payment Benefit (BPC), while Stefanny awaits authorization to begin accessing the aid. The family also has the support of residents of Colorado do Oeste and neighboring cities through charitable actions. What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is characterized by the disordered multiplication of abnormal cells, forming a malignant tumor that can invade tissues and other organs. According to the National Cancer Institute (Inca), it is the most common type of cancer among Brazilian women, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. The average age for diagnosis of the disease in Brazil is 54 years. The clinical oncologist and coordinator of Hospital de Amor na Amazônia, José Favoreto Neto, highlights that, although cancer is more common in advanced ages, some factors can contribute to its early onset. "Most of the time, there is not a single cause, but rather a combination of factors. One of the main ones is genetic predisposition. Women with hereditary mutations have a higher risk of developing the disease before the age of 40", explained the doctor. He emphasizes that it is necessary to be aware of the main warning signs: Lump or hardness in the breast or armpit region; Change in the size or shape of the breast; Changes in the skin of the breast, such as redness, retraction or an "orange peel" appearance; Liquid leakage from the nipple, especially if spontaneous and outside the breastfeeding period; Nipple that retracts recently; Wounds on the breast or nipple that do not heal. Breast pain alone is rarely a sign of cancer. However, if it is persistent or accompanied by any of the signs above, it should be evaluated by a doctor. "Early diagnosis is one of the main allies in the fight against breast cancer. When the disease is identified early, the chances of a cure are greater and, often, treatment can be less aggressive", highlighted José Favoreto Neto. What is Hodgkin's Lymphoma? According to the Brazilian Association of Lymphoma and Leukemia (Abrale), Hodgkin's lymphoma affects the lymphatic system, responsible for protecting the body against infections. It arises when defense cells change, become malignant and begin to multiply without control. This type of cancer accounts for approximately 10% of all lymphomas. The most common sign is the appearance of one or more enlarged lymph nodes, usually without pain, in the neck region. In around 40% of cases, fever above 38°C, intense night sweats and weight loss may occur. Hematologist Daniele Fontes states that the diagnosis in younger people is not rare. The disease has peaks in frequency among young people aged 15 to 39 and in elderly people over 60 years old. The specialist warns that the diagnosis can be complicated by the similarity of symptoms with other diseases. "Most of the time, a lump on the neck in a child or teenager is just the result of a simple infection, such as the flu, sore throat or tooth infection. Because of this, lymphoma is often initially treated as a common infection," explained the doctor. Unlike infections, the lymphoma lump is painless, does not shrink naturally and tends to grow progressively. Despite the insecurity generated by the diagnosis, the disease has high success rates. "It is one of the most curable cancers that exist, especially in children and adolescents. When diagnosed and treated correctly, the chances of cure exceed 80% to 90% in most cases", concluded Daniele. Photography by Stefanny Ramalho de Araújo Personal archive - Tereza Ramalho de Oliveira Photography by Tereza Ramalho de Oliveira Personal archive - Tereza Ramalho de Oliveira