30/05/2018

Researcher uses mathematics in the fight against cancer.

Even before she was born, numbers were already interfering in Tatiana Rocha de Souza's life. Due to a miscalculation by her mother, who believed she was seven months pregnant when she traveled from Iraquara (BA) to take a course in Mossoró (RN), the mathematician was born far from home. But the 1,170 km distance wasn't enough to stop Tatiana from considering herself a Bahian. Today, the meddling numbers that tried to change her destiny have gained a new function: they are partners in the fight against cancer.

At 36 years old, the researcher defended her doctoral thesis, "Tumor Dynamics and Noetics," on May 18th at the Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Scientific Computing of the State University of Campinas (Unicamp). Her motivation for choosing the topic was personal. In 2011, Tatiana discovered she had colorectal cancer with liver metastasis. Upon completing her first treatment the following year, she decided she wanted to help cancer patients in some way.

In February 2014, she was accepted into the Mathematics program at Unicamp. A tenured professor at the State University of Paraíba, she managed to obtain leave for her doctorate, but the moment of celebration turned delicate in the blink of an eye: the cancer had returned.

Alone in São Paulo, Tatiana considered returning to Bahia to continue her treatment with her family. But her parents, Teresa and Ronaldo, and her younger sisters, Thais and Thisciana, embraced her dream of pursuing a doctorate. With her mother's move to Campinas, the mathematician received the support she needed to dedicate herself to her research.

In general terms, the thesis deals with modeling and simulations of tumor behavior with and without chemotherapy treatment. The major difference lies in the consideration of integrative interventions, such as Reiki, acupuncture, and craniosacral therapy, in addition to standard interventions.

“The idea of including integrative medicine in the research came from my own treatment, when I began to notice a significant improvement in my quality of life,” explains Tatiana.

Noetic sciences, on the other hand, encompass an interdisciplinary study of the mind, consciousness, and various modes of knowledge, with a special focus on the fields of science, mind-body health, and psychology, among others.

"Studies have proven that humans are capable of stimulating their own cells to identify and fight tumor cells," says the mathematician. In the vast majority of cancer cases, the end of treatment simply means the "disappearance of tumor cells visible to the human eye." The cure is achieved through the immune system's collaboration in fighting these cells.

The road to the defense was not easy. During her doctoral studies, Tatiana underwent four surgeries, 57 chemotherapy sessions, and numerous tests and consultations. "My family, friends, classmates, and my advisor, Rodney Carlos Bassanezi, were essential to my decision to continue my doctorate, in addition to all the therapies," she gratefully acknowledges.

Despite the growing number of studies on the collaboration of integrative oncology medicine, the practice is still very recent in Brazil. In this respect, Tatiana's greatest contribution is to promote this complementary treatment for the benefit of the patient.

Mathematics: an old passion

Tatiana's love for calculations began in childhood, when she considered pursuing a career as a civil engineer, like her mother. The idea of studying mathematics only matured in high school, as she always excelled in the subject. Confirmation that she had made the right choice came during her undergraduate studies, when Professor Daniel M. Pellegrino encouraged her to do scientific research.

With a bachelor's and master's degree in Pure Mathematics from the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), in Paraíba, the natural progression would be to pursue a doctorate in Elliptic Partial Differential Equations, her research area. "Only after my illness did I decide to study mathematics applied to cancer," Tatiana admits.

Throughout her battle with the disease, she often encountered the difficulties faced by patients treated by the Brazilian public health system. “I discovered that there will always be someone in a worse situation than yours, and that's why I don't allow myself to be victimized by what I'm going through. There are many who fight for the discovery of a cure, but many others insist on their own benefits, enjoying the comfort of not changing,” she observes.

Recently, Tatiana's struggle intensified. Last year, her sister Thais discovered she had breast cancer. "The biopsy results arrived on my birthday. It was harder than when I discovered my own cancer," recalls the mathematician, who has multiple nodules in her lungs.

“We are confidantes and we give each other strength. We also share our pain and reactions, turning these outpourings into moments of relaxation. We always try to see a bright side or, if we can't, we try to smile at the suffering too.” Together, the sisters created an Instagram account to share what it's like to fight the disease.

With her doctorate completed, Tatiana plans to continue studying the topic. "I intend to get involved in projects that help cancer patients, give talks about what I've studied, and perhaps even write a book about my story," she shares.

Tatiana intends to intensify her complementary treatments, seeking a better quality of life so she can do what she enjoys most: traveling, discovering new places, foods, and people; reading a book and watching the sunset while moderately enjoying a glass of wine.