Empowering advocates through education

Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to highlight the profound impact breast cancer education has on patients, friends, and family.

The Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation’s Alamo Advocate Program (AAP) at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), supported by a grant from Exact Sciences, is one example of the value of educating patient advocates.

Established in 1997, the AAP at SABCS aims to bring patient voices into the scientific community. The AAP educates patient advocates by providing scholarships that allow them to participate in SABCS, learn directly from the scientists during the conference, and raise awareness about the latest research and advancements in breast cancer. In addition, the AAP hosts special educational sessions for patient advocates to learn more about the scientific and regulatory processes behind the research, understand the “hot topics” of the day in greater detail, and share their perspectives directly with the scientific community.

Both the AAP and Exact Sciences work to empower advocates, expand patient and community education, and address public policy, health access, and cancer disparities.

“We are excited to continue our ongoing partnership with Exact Sciences,” Alamo Advocate Program Director Mary Jimenez says. “Together, we are building a stronger, more informed community that makes a lasting difference in the fight for better health outcomes.”

The 28th annual Alamo Advocate Program is December 8-12, 2025. Exact Sciences’ contribution extends the program across nine countries and 19 states.

“Awareness is the first step towards prevention,” continues Jimenez, “let’s educate ourselves.”