Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Adjoa Kyerematen
akyerematen@nmqf.org
202-220-8505

National Minority Quality Forum Reaches 557,000 Through “Not All the Same” mBC Campaign

Support Our Sisters with Metastatic Breast Cancer campaign encourages Black and Hispanic women to know their breast cancer subtype, ask questions and explore their care options

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 29, 2026 — The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), through its Support Our Sisters with Metastatic Breast Cancer (SOS) initiative, is spotlighting the importance of understanding metastatic breast cancer (mBC) subtypes with its “Not All the Same” awareness campaign. Launched during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the campaign encourages Black and Hispanic women living with mBC to learn more about their specific diagnosis, have informed conversations with their care teams, and connect with a community of women who understand their experiences.

Metastatic breast cancer, also called stage 4 breast cancer, is breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. Although women may share the same stage of disease, their cancers can have different characteristics that affect treatment decisions. Hormone receptor (HR) status and HER2 status help care teams identify subtypes, including HR-positive/HER2-negative, HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer. Understanding these differences can help patients ask more specific questions about biomarkers, treatment options, and clinical trials.

“Not All the Same” centers a simple message: “Sisters, Know Your Type.” Its patient education approach is designed to turn awareness into action—encouraging women to know their subtype, ask what it means for their care, and revisit the conversation when their treatment or disease changes. The campaign also recognizes that access to clear information, supportive conversations and appropriate care is not equal for every patient.

The campaign’s communications approach also incorporates mBC patient persona mapping to help tailor education and outreach to different patient needs and experiences. Rather than assuming that every woman living with metastatic breast cancer has the same questions or faces the same barriers, this approach considers differences in familiarity with subtypes, information needs, and readiness to discuss treatment options with a care team. These insights help guide the language, resources, and engagement opportunities used across campaign channels.

The campaign builds on SOS’s patient-centered work, which brings together educational resources, patient stories, and peer connection. Campaign materials include patient storytelling, a “What’s Your Type” downloadable resource, and virtual engagement within the SOS Facebook community. Together, these channels are intended to meet women where they are and make complex information easier to discuss.

The campaign launched October 1 and used October 13, Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, as a focal point for education and engagement, with resources intended to remain useful beyond October. Women can also explore the newly redesigned SOS website, including information about mBC and a clinical trial heat map to help them learn about research opportunities.

As part of this education effort, SOS hosted a free, in-person mBC patient–provider workshop on October 24, 2026, at the John Chavis Memorial Park Community Center in Raleigh, NC. Designed for Black and Hispanic women living with mBC, the small-group workshop explored breast cancer subtypes, how subtype information can guide treatment discussions, clinical trial education, and ways to make informed decisions with a care team. Participants heard from a local oncology provider, asked questions, and connected with other women navigating breast cancer.

“No two women experience metastatic breast cancer in exactly the same way, and our approach to patient education and support should reflect that,” said Taylarr Lopez, MPH, Health Communications Director at the National Minority Quality Forum. “Through our ‘Not All the Same’ campaign, we’re using insights from patient experiences and persona mapping to better understand the unique needs of women living with this disease. Our goal is to make sure Black and Hispanic women have the information, resources, and confidence to ask informed questions about their cancer subtype, explore their treatment options, and actively participate in decisions about their care. Every woman deserves to feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout her cancer journey.”

Black and Hispanic women living with mBC are encouraged to join the Support Our Sisters patient community, explore available resources, and share their stories at SupportOurSistersWithMBC.org.

About the National Minority Quality Forum

Founded in 1998, National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is a United States-based, health care research, education and advocacy organization whose mission is to reduce patient risk and advance health equity by assuring optimal care for all. The mission is to reduce patient risk of hospitalizations, emergency room visits, disabilities, and death, while also promoting high-quality, long lives, particularly for the most vulnerable. NMQF utilizes data and research to support and mobilize healthcare organizations, leaders, policymakers, and patients in advocating for optimal care for every individual, especially those in minoritized communities. For more information, please visit http://www.nmqf.org.