New Study: Integrative Therapy and Nurse Navigation Reduce Treatment Side Effects for 75% of Black Breast Cancer Patients; 85% Report Lower Distress

Unite for HER and TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance Present Pivotal Results for Black Breast Cancer Outcomes at 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

ANNAPOLIS, Md. & PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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 Integrative Care 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, and understanding of diagnosis and treatment, as well as a notable reduction in distress.​

See the complete poster and learn more at www.uniteforher.org/careforher.