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When Tia Newman was diagnosed with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), it felt deeply personal for her as she had lost both her mother and sister to this most aggressive form of breast cancer years earlier.
Losing family members to TNBC fundamentally changed how the 55-year-old Washington, D.C. area native experienced her own diagnosis. She knew care needed to involve much more than medical treatment. Gaining practical support and trusted guidance was also key for her.
Tia’s diagnosis also underscored the burden this disease places on Black women as they are diagnosed with TNBC at nearly three times the rate of white women and are 38% more likely to die from breast cancer.
Support for the Whole Person
For Tia, support came through Care for HER, a national initiative from Unite for HER and TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance. Care for HER connects Black women with free resources to navigate the challenges faced from treatment, including integrative therapies, health education and around-the-clock, culturally tailored nurse navigation.
“When you have cancer, support is bigger than just medical appointments,” Tia says. “Having an outside navigator and real people to talk to who guide you through the tears makes a massive difference.”
Through Care for HER, Tia received support tailored to what she needed outside of the doctor’s office, supplementing the caregiver support she received from her husband and children. The program’s “Wellness Passport” fully funds and delivers services such as professional counseling, nutrition consultations, exercise classes and fresh grocery deliveries.
“Our vision is that every Black individual diagnosed with breast cancer will feel supported and have access to comprehensive integrative oncology care that manages arduous side effects, supports treatment adherence and gives those we serve their lives back,” says Sue Weldon, CEO and Founder of Unite for HER.
Removing Barriers to Care
Helping people navigate needs beyond treatment aligns with Gilead’s Community Cancer Collective (CCC), which supports the program alongside other sponsors.
“Gilead’s CCC brings together community organizations, healthcare providers, advocates and local leaders to help reduce barriers to cancer care, with patient navigation as a core pillar of its work,” says Gilead’s Darren Tayama, Vice President, US Medical Affairs, Oncology. “Through Care for HER, we are proud to support a program that is delivering whole-person support, an often-overlooked but essential aspect of addressing persistent disparities for Black women facing breast cancer.”
Today, Tia encourages other women to pay attention to their bodies, ask questions and seek support from the beginning of their cancer experience. That includes asking about navigation programs and other resources that can help with the emotional, nutritional and practical challenges that may come with treatment.
“Don’t let cancer absorb your mind,” Tia advises. “Pushing through with the right support in your corner makes all the difference.”
Visit Expose MBC to learn more about whole-person support resources for metastatic breast cancer.