Digital coaching and peer navigation may improve outcomes for breast cancer survivors, particularly Black women who face stark disparities in care, according to a new study led led by Dr. Robin Lally and her team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
The REALIZE study, co-led by Dr. Juan Santamaria, focuses on African American women, who are diagnosed with breast cancer at lower rates but experience a 40% higher mortality rate. Early findings suggest that pairing newly diagnosed patients with peer survivors from their own communities can build trust, improve communication with providers, and increase adherence to treatment. “Navigated women reported satisfaction with the program, which increased over time,” the team noted.
Dr. Lally emphasized the importance of refining this model to promote health equity. Presenting at national conferences, her team highlighted how community-based navigation bridges clinical care and research, offering a promising path to reduce disparities in breast cancer outcomes.
See: “Dr. Lally and team explore two studies for breast cancer survivors” (June 18, 2025)
