A Holistic Approach to Breast Cancer: How Digital Tools Like PINK! Coach and the Novartis Partnership Improve Patient Care
With around 70,000 new cases each year, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Germany. More than 700 men are also diagnosed annually. Thanks to medical advances and innovative therapies, early breast cancer is now considered highly treatable.
Beyond medication, digital solutions are playing an increasingly important role in holistic cancer care. One example is the “PINK! Coach” app, developed by PINK gegen Brustkrebs GmbH under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Pia Wülfing. It guides patients through every stage of the disease – from diagnosis to therapy and follow-up care.
As of July 2025, Novartis has entered a collaboration with PINK! to raise awareness among healthcare professionals about “PINK! Coach”, a recognized Digital Health Application (DiGA). This partnership aims to improve access to evidence-based digital support tools and enhance the overall care of breast cancer patients.
The app offers day-to-day support in key areas such as exercise, nutrition, mental health, and side effect management, including:
- Customized physical activity programs with step tracking
- Healthy recipes and nutritional tips
- Mindfulness exercises to promote emotional well-being
- A comprehensive information library with guideline-based content
- Appointment and document management tools
- A chatbot with helpful self-care tips for managing side effects
PINK! Coach brings structure and reassurance to patients’ daily lives – and has been clinically proven to improve quality of life and reduce psychological stress.
Through this collaboration, Novartis demonstrates its commitment beyond drug therapy, helping to ensure more holistic, patient-centered care. The app and its content remain independently developed and provided by PINK!.
Digital and pharmaceutical therapies go hand in hand here – with the shared goal of improving patient care and enhancing quality of life.