By Alexandra Marie Charlotte Stahl
After learning about the remarkable product Palpa, I had the opportunity to sit down with its creator, Josefa Cortés, and listen to her story. I’ve always believed that listening—truly
listening—can be one of the most powerful ways to learn, and my conversation with Josefa
was no exception. Her commitment to breast cancer detection and awareness, combined with her journey as a young entrepreneur, carries invaluable lessons not just for those in her field, but for anyone seeking to make an impact.
Josefa’s story is one of resilience and innovation, and it touched me deeply on a personal
level. Her ability to turn a university project into a life-saving tool is a testament to what can happen when passion meets purpose. Through this article, I hope to share her story with a broader readership, including the IE University community, because her experience offers a powerful reminder that great ideas, no matter how small their beginnings, can have a global reach and save lives.
During a quiet moment in her daily routine, a woman notices a small lump in her breast. She brushes it off as insignificant, unaware that this seemingly minor anomaly could be much more serious. Unfortunately, stories like these are all too common, and the consequences can be tremendous. According to the National Breast Cancer Organization, in the United States, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. By 2024, it’s estimated that 310,720 women and 2,800 men will face an invasive breast cancer diagnosis. The chances are high that you know someone personally affected by this disease. But there is hope. When breast cancer is detected early in its localized stages, the five-year survival rate soars to 99%. Thanks to advances in early detection and treatment, survival rates have significantly improved, with over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States today.
Now, imagine if every woman has a tool that educates her about her body and helps her detect potential health threats before they become life-threatening.
This vision is at the heart of Palpa, an innovative device created by 27-year-old Chilean designer Josefa Cortés. Born from a profoundly personal journey, Palpa is more than just a product; it’s a life-saving mission, a beacon of hope, and a powerful reminder that early detection of breast cancer can make all the difference.
The Spark of Inspiration
Josefa’s journey with Palpa began during her final year at university. Like many design students, she was searching for a meaningful thesis project. The inspiration for Palpa came from a deeply personal place—her close friend Jovita, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jovita’s story was a strong wake-up call of how easily breast cancer symptoms can go unnoticed or be ignored, even when something doesn’t feel quite right.
Jovita had felt a lump in her breast but dismissed it as usual, only to be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer years later. This experience hit Josefa hard. How could something so critical be overlooked? How could women be more in tune with their bodies to catch these signs earlier? These questions fueled Josefa’s desire to create a tool that would help women recognize abnormalities in their breasts as part of their daily routine.
The Start of Palpa
Josefa’s idea was simple yet revolutionary: a breast-shaped device that simulates the feel of a tumor, teaching women how a lump might feel. The device is a massager and soap dispenser for the shower, integrating breast self-examination into a woman’s daily hygiene routine.
It’s simply genius how Palpa’s device transforms a daily task into a potentially life-saving habit. The habit of self-examination constantly reminds women to check their breasts and, therefore, increases the chances of early detection of anomalies.
But bringing Palpa to life took a lot of work. Josefa faced numerous challenges—she had no prior experience in founding a company, navigating intellectual property rights, or developing a commercial strategy. However, her determination to make a difference led her to learn from local incubation programs, which provided her with the knowledge and support she needed to take Palpa from concept to reality.
The Impact Of Palpa
Palpa’s impact has been profound. Since its launch, the device has reached over 90,000 women in Chile, thanks to partnerships with private companies, governments, and educational institutions. One of the most remarkable success stories is that of Elisa, a 30-year-old woman with no history of breast cancer. Elisa received Palpa as a gift from her workplace during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During her first self-examination with Palpa, she discovered a lump, which turned out to be triple-negative breast cancer—a particularly aggressive form of the disease. Elisa’s early detection, made possible by Palpa, likely saved her life.
For Josefa, stories like Elisa’s are the most significant validation of her work. Knowing that her invention has directly contributed to saving lives affirms the importance of her work and the challenges she has overcome. It’s a powerful reminder that even the smallest ideas can have an enormous impact when driven by purpose and passion.
Expanding Palpa’s Mission
Palpa’s success in Chile and Spain is just the beginning. Josefa is now focused on expanding the company in the United States. This expansion is not just about growing the business; it’s about raising awareness of early detection and empowering women worldwide to take control of their health. Particularly for those under 40 who are not yet eligible for regular mammograms, Palpa aims to become an essential part of their daily routine. Josefa’s product is a way to become more familiar with your body and notice any changes early on.
However, Palpa is not intended to replace medical checkups or professional screenings but rather to complement them. By integrating self-examination into daily life, Palpa helps women better understand their bodies, making them more likely to notice any potential issues and seek medical advice when necessary.
Josefa’s vision for Palpa goes beyond addressing breast cancer. She is passionate about addressing other women’s health issues and plans to develop new products and campaigns to educate and empower women further.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Josefa turned a personal tragedy into a life-saving product and has valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your purpose and the impact you want to make. There is so much potential to make a difference in the healthcare industry, especially in areas like preventive care. However, she also says that flexibility and adaptability are crucial. The entrepreneurial journey involves unexpected challenges, and responding effectively to change is key to success.
Looking back on her journey, Josefa wouldn’t change any of her past decisions but would approach challenges with a greater understanding that solutions are always within reach. Starting Palpa has taught her the importance of resilience and the power of a supportive team. Today, thanks to her strong team, Josefa has found a balance between her personal life and the demands of leading a groundbreaking company.
The Future of Women’s Health
Josefa Cortés’s journey with Palpa emphasizes the power of innovation and the impact one person’s vision can have in our world. Palpa is more than just a product; it empowers women to take control of their health and potentially save lives. As Palpa continues to grow and evolve, Josefa stays committed to her mission of educating and empowering women around the world.
Nowadays, preventive care can mean the difference between life and death, and Palpa creates hope. Behind it all is a young designer with a vision, proving that with passion, purpose, and dedication, even the most challenging journeys can lead to incredible outcomes.
Featured image courtesy of The Palpa Company
