17 Jun 2026
A study published in Frontiers in Digital Health finds that many patients with metastatic breast cancer lack awareness of their HER2-low biomarker status—despite its growing role in treatment decisions. The study, co-authored by Dr. Heidi C. Ko, DO, Medical Director, Medical Affairs at Labcorp Oncology, also shows that brief, targeted digital education can significantly improve patient understanding and confidence in care conversations.
What is HER2‑low metastatic breast cancer?
HER2-low metastatic breast cancer refers to tumors that express low levels of the HER2 protein. They were previously classified as HER2-negative, but this distinction has become increasingly important as new therapies show benefit in patients with HER2-low disease—reshaping how oncologists evaluate and treat nearly half of all breast cancer cases.
Why does HER2‑low education matter more than ever?
The emergence of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has transformed the treatment landscape for patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. Historically, these patients were grouped into the HER2-negative category and had limited access to HER2-targeted therapies. Today, the availability of treatments targeting low expression have made it critical to identify eligible individuals who should be considered for newer treatment options and to increase awareness among providers and patients
Despite these advances, many patients still lack a clear understanding of:
- What HER2‑low means
- Whether their tumor has been tested
- How HER2‑low status may affect treatment options
What did the Labcorp study find about HER2‑low awareness?
Labcorp partnered with Outcomes4Me, a leading digital health platform, to survey 362 women in the United States living with metastatic breast cancer and to deliver a targeted digital education intervention.
Key findings highlight persistent awareness gaps, even among informed patients:
- 78% of respondents knew their HER2 status
- Among those who knew their status, only 51% were familiar with the HER2‑low classification
- Among patients who did not know their HER2 status, awareness dropped to 23%
Many patients have never discussed HER2 low with their oncologist
Even among patients with HER2‑negative disease, conversations about HER2‑low were often missing.
Among HER2‑negative patients, 51% did not recall HER2‑low being discussed
These gaps highlight a critical opportunity to improve education and dialogue earlier in the care journey.
Can digital education improve HER2‑low understanding?
The study found that brief targeted digital education can improve patient engagemnent and prompt discussions with care teams.
Among patients who were unsure of their HER2 status:
- After receiving short, targeted in‑app education, 61% said they were likely to talk with their oncologist about HER2‑low testing
According to program data from Outcomes4Me the education campaign reached:
- More than 10,000 breast cancer patients
- Over 2,000 patients who engaged deeply with tools such as a doctor discussion guide and multimedia learning modules
How digital tools support shared decision‑making in oncology
As cancer care becomes increasingly complex, patients are seeking clear, accessible ways to understand testing and treatment options. The study shows that well‑designed digital platforms can:
- Simplify scientific concepts such as biomarker testing
- Guide patients on questions to ask their care teams
- Empower individuals to advocate for therapies aligned with their tumor biology
Together, these capabilities support more informed, confident patient participation in shared decision‑making.
Key takeaways from the study
- HER2‑low awareness remains limited among patients with metastatic breast cancer
- Knowing one’s HER2 status does not guarantee understanding of HER2‑low
- Brief digital education can prompt meaningful patient‑led follow‑up
- Digital health tools can strengthen conversations between patients and clinicians
The publication was co-authored by Dr. Heidi C. Ko, DO, Medical Director, Medical Affairs at Labcorp Oncology. Dr. Ko is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist serving as a Medical Director of Medical Affairs at Labcorp Oncology, where she leads scientific, clinical and educational initiatives that advance evidence‑based oncology diagnostics for clinicians, patients and biopharmaceutical partners.