When we talk about breast cancer, we often speak in broad terms. But not all breast cancers are the same. For Black women, understanding the specific nuances of HER2+ breast cancer can be a matter of survival. HER2+ breast cancer is aggressive, but it’s also highly treatable with the right care. Still, Black women face unique disparities that can impact diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
If you or a loved one is navigating this journey, here are five critical things to know—grounded in science and shaped by real disparities that deserve more attention.
1. HER2+ Breast Cancer Is Aggressive—But It’s Also Treatable
HER2+ breast cancer is a subtype that makes too much of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This causes cancer cells to grow and divide rapidly. It accounts for about 1 in 5 breast cancer cases and is more likely to spread quickly than hormone-receptor-positive types.1
But here’s the good news: HER2-targeted therapies have dramatically improved outcomes. Treatments like trastuzumab (Herceptin), pertuzumab, and newer drugs like T-DM1 (Kadcyla) and Tukysa (tucatinib) have been game-changers, improving both survival and quality of life.4
Why this matters for Black women: Despite the treatment advances, Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages, when cancer has already spread—limiting the effectiveness of these powerful therapies.3
2. Black Women Are Often Underrepresented in HER2+ Clinical Research Studies
Clinical research studies help researchers learn how new treatments work—but Black women are severely underrepresented in these studies. According to research by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Black people made up less than 10% of participants in breast cancer studies—even though Black women are disproportionately affected by aggressive subtypes.3
This matters because genetic differences, treatment responses, and side effect profiles can vary by race and ethnicity. When Black women aren’t included in trials, we risk creating treatments that don’t fully meet their needs.3
3. Delayed Diagnosis and Access Barriers Are Real
Black women are less likely to be diagnosed early and more likely to face delays in starting treatment—two critical factors in breast cancer outcomes. This is often due to:2
- Limited access to quality care
- Financial barriers or lack of insurance
- Implicit bias in healthcare settings
- Mistrust of the medical system
According to research in BMC Women’s Health, Black women have the highest breast cancer death rate of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S., despite having slightly lower incidence rates overall.2
HER2+ breast cancer grows fast. Every delay matters. Early and aggressive treatment is key.
4. HER2+ Can Overlap with Other High-Risk Subtypes
While HER2+ breast cancer is defined by overexpression of the HER2 protein, it may also be hormone-receptor positive (HR+) or negative (HR-). When it’s HER2+ and HR-, the cancer is even more aggressive, and this subtype is more common among Black women.1
Some people are also diagnosed with triple-positive (HER2+, ER+, PR+) cancer—which still responds well to therapy but requires a more complex treatment approach.1
Understanding your tumor biology is critical. Not all HER2+ cancers are the same, and Black women may be more likely to have mixed or less common subtypes that require specialized care.1
Ask your doctor for a full breakdown of your tumor’s HER2, ER, and PR status—and how it affects your treatment plan.
5. Community, Culture, and Support Matter—A Lot
Facing HER2+ breast cancer is not just a medical journey—it’s emotional, spiritual, and cultural. For many Black women, faith, family, community, and advocacy are central to the healing process. Yet many report feeling isolated in treatment settings, misunderstood by providers, or left out of traditional support groups.3
What helps:
- Connecting with other Black breast cancer survivors
- Seeking care from culturally competent providers
- Working with a patient navigator who understands your lived experience
Conclusion: HER2+ Breast Cancer Is Treatable, but Equity Must Catch Up
HER2+ breast cancer is no longer the automatic death sentence it once was. With early diagnosis and access to targeted therapies, outcomes can be excellent. But Black women face barriers that science alone can’t fix: access gaps, clinical study exclusion, provider bias, and a lack of culturally aligned support.
This article isn’t here to scare you—it’s here to equip you. To remind you that your voice matters in the exam room. That you deserve full access to cutting-edge treatments. And that your experience as a Black woman navigating breast cancer is valid and worthy of care designed with you in mind.
References
- American Cancer Society. (2025, January 29). Breast Cancer HER2 Status. Retrieved from American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/breast-cancer-her2-status.html
- Johnie Rose Oliver, Y., Sage, P., Dong, W., Koroukian, S. M., & Gonzalez, S. K. (2022). Factors affecting timely breast cancer treatment among black women in a high-risk urban community: a qualitative study. BMC Women’s Health.
- Malhotra, P. (2025). Black Women and Breast Cancer: Why Disparities Persist and How to End Them. Retrieved from Breast Cancer Research Foundation: https://www.bcrf.org/about-breast-cancer/black-women-breast-cancer-disparities/
- Mercogliano, M. F., Bruni, S. B., Mauro, F. L., & Schillaci, R. (2023). Emerging Targeted Therapies for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers.
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