Leading breast cancer nonprofits Unite for HER and TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance (TOUCHBBCA) presented new and critical research addressing health disparities, entitled “A New Comprehensive IntegrativeCare and Navigation Model for Enhancing Outcomes for Black Breast Cancer Patients: Evidence from the Care for HER Program” at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
The Care for HER Program, presented by AstraZeneca, Gilead, and Daiichi Sankyo—serves
Black breast cancer patients nationwide with free access to 1) integrative care therapies and
services, and 2) 24/7 culturally tailored patient navigation by Black nurses and social workers
who are also breast cancer survivors.
In partnership with the Cancer Support Community, TOUCHBBCA and Unite for HER surveyed
Care for HER participants in the spring of 2025. Of the 57 Black women diagnosed with breast
cancer who completed the survey, 93% reported using Care for HER resources.
75% of participants reported that Care for HER resources reduced unwanted side effects, and
83% reported that the program reduced at least one aspect of financial strain.
Critically, 85% of participants reported reduced distress as a result of the program. High distress
declined from 39% to 0%, while those reporting no distress rose from 5% to 21%.
As a result of having access to the Care for HER program:
– 95% were motivated to make healthier food choices
– 93% understood the benefits of physical activity
– 89% understood the resources and services available to them as breast cancer patients
– 88% were equipped to follow their treatment plan
– 84% were able to advocate for themselves in their healthcare
– 69% understood their diagnosis and treatment options
Overall, results showed that 98% of participants reported being satisfied or very satisfied with
integrative care therapies/services and patient navigation.
Care for HER provided essential supportive services and empowered Black breast cancer
patients to take a more active role in their breast cancer care. This intervention demonstrates
how access to culturally-agile integrative and navigation services can improve oncology
outcomes, especially for unsupported communities who cannot or do not obtain these services
through traditional healthcare systems.
Racial disparities in breast cancer are well-documented, impacting various aspects of the
cancer experience, including treatment access, quality of life, and overall survival. Evidence
suggests that integrated care and patient navigation throughout treatment and survivorship can
enhance both quality of life and patient satisfaction.
“Care for HER is a powerful example of what’s possible when organizations come together with
a shared commitment for meaningful change,” says Sue Weldon, CEO, Unite for HER. “Our
partnership with TOUCHBBCA allows us to blend integrative therapies and nurse navigation in
a way that impacts patients. Being invited to present at SABCS with the support of our pharma
partners demonstrates the broader industry interest and support in this transformative work.”
“We’re ecstatic that we can directly address a considerable need for Black breast cancer
patients, providing services that they couldn’t access otherwise,” says Ricki Fairley, CEO,
TOUCHBBCA. ”On top of that, the ability to generate more data on Black Breast Cancer is
paramount to advancing science for Black women. The more research we are included in, the
closer we get to closing disparity gaps in breast cancer.”
The Care for HER program supports practical and emotional well-being for Black women
diagnosed with breast cancer. Participation was associated with improvements in health
behaviors, managing side effects, healthcare navigation,
Barbara Jacoby is an award winning blogger that has contributed her writings to multiple online publications that have touched readers worldwide.