Mindfulness & Breast Cancer
MINDFULNESS & BREAST CANCER
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Alleviates Breast Cancer-Related Pain
Take-home message: Mindfulness diminished the pain related to breast cancer treatment.
Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Late Post-Treatment Pain in Women Treated for Primary Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Johannsen, M. et. al., jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/doi/10.1200/JCO.2015.65.0770
Post-treatment pain occurs in 16-20% of women treated for breast cancer, and it may take years to appear. Although many women note the pain, it is commonly undertreated. Pain is a multifaceted experience, and targeting the perception and cognition of pain may help women cope with it. Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT) teaches nonjudgmental observation of each moment as it arises and disappears. This principle is used to encourage increased acceptance of and openness to bodily sensations and emotional discomfort. The investigators expected that MBT would have a beneficial affect on pain in breast cancer patients.
Over 120 women, at least three months out from breast cancer treatment and with significant pain burdens, were chosen for this study. One group received no MBT training. The second group participated in an MBT program. This consisted of weekly sessions teaching meditation, yoga and other MBT principles. Home practice was encouraged. Participants submitted questionnaires to assess their pain, well being and psychological distress. They also reported their use of non-prescription pain medications. The women who engaged in MBT had significant reductions in pain.
The investigators note that, with the high prevalence of pain among women who have completed their breast cancer treatment, MBT is an effective tool to offer.
Take-home message: Breast cancer survivors who were guided in mindfulness-based activities had improved life qualities.
Examination of Broad Symptom Improvement Resulting From Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Lengacher, C. A. et. al., jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/doi/10.1200/JCO.2015.65.7874
These investigators noted that, although breast cancer survivors (BCSs) are living longer, they are prone to experience late effects of their disease and/or treatment. These effects, such as depression, anxiety, fear of recurrence, physical pain and fatigue may affect daily activities.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) holds great promise for decreasing fatigue, pain and sleep disturbance among BCSs. The group anticipated that MBSR would improve both physical and psychological symptoms of BCSs.
Over 300 women aged 21 or older were enrolled in this study. They had diagnoses of stage 0 to III breast cancer and were 2 weeks to 2 years out from treatment completion. Randomization was to a MBSR group or to usual care (UC). MBSR intervention consisted of 6 weeks of a weekly session with an MBSR-trained psychologist, educational materials, meditation practice sessions, support for application of practice to daily life and group support. UC intervention consisted of standard post-treatment clinic visits. These women were offered MBSR at the completion of the study.
Physical and psychological symptoms and quality of life were assessed by questionnaires given at 6 and 12 weeks after the start of the study. Women assigned to MBSR showed significant improvement in anxiety, fear of recurrence and fatigue. There was a trend for quality of life improvement, but it did not reach statistical significance.
This study demonstrates that MBSR has beneficial effects on BCSs. These effects are wide-ranging and endure after a relatively long period of time.
