Racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes have long affected Black women, impacting treatment access, quality of life, and survival rates. New research presented at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium demonstrates how culturally tailored support can help close these gaps.
The Care for HER Program, a collaboration between Unite for HER and TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, serves Black breast cancer patients nationwide with free integrative therapies and round-the-clock patient navigation by Black nurses and social workers who are also breast cancer survivors. A spring 2025 survey of 57 Black women with breast cancer found that 93% used program resources.
Results showed dramatic improvements in patient well-being. Among participants, 75% reported reduced treatment side effects, while 83% experienced relief from at least one aspect of financial strain. Most striking was the mental health impact: 85% reported lower distress levels, with high distress plummeting from 39% to zero. Those reporting no distress rose from 5% to 21%.
Sue Weldon, CEO of Unite for HER, described the initiative as demonstrating what’s possible when organizations share a commitment for meaningful change. Ricki Fairley, CEO of TOUCHBBCA, emphasized the importance of addressing considerable needs for Black breast cancer patients while generating more research data. Fairley noted that increased research inclusion moves the field closer to closing disparity gaps in breast cancer.
The program empowered patients to take active roles in their care, with 88% equipped to follow treatment plans and 84% able to advocate for themselves in healthcare settings. Overall satisfaction reached 98%.
See: “New Study: Integrative Therapy and Nurse Navigation Reduce Treatment Side Effects for 75% of Black Breast Cancer Patients; 85% Report Lower Distress” (January 21, 2026)
