Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
SpringerLink
Log in

Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Oncology

  • Chapter
Clinical Handbook of Mindfulness

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 7.6 million (or 13%) of all deaths in 2005 (World Health Organization, 2005). According to cancer prevalence statistics, as of January 1, 2004, it was estimated that there were 10.7 million cancer survivors in the United States alone, which represents approximately 3.6% of the country’s population (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, 2007). These numbers will only grow as treatments for cancer become more successful and a larger cohort of patients survive long-term. Regardless of increasingly promising survival statistics (up to 65% of all patients now survive beyond 5 years in North America (National Cancer Institute of Canada, 2007; Ries et al., 2007)), receiving a diagnosis of cancer and undergoing cancer treatment continues to be a source of dread and fear for many.

“I realized that you can’t do anything about the cancer, but you can do something about how you feel about it and how you react to it.”

Sylvia (cancer patient)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Reference

  • Abercrombie, H. C., Giese-Davis, J., Sephton, S., Epel, E. S., Turner-Cobb, J. M., & Spiegel, D. (2004). Flattened cortisol rhythms in metastatic breast cancer patients. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 29, 1082–1092.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Andrykowski, M. A., Brady, M. J., & Hunt, J. W. (1993). Positive psychosocial adjustment in potential bone marrow transplant recipients: Cancer as a psychological transition. Psycho-oncology, 2, 261–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baer, R. A. (2003). Mindfulness training as clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10, 125–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baselga, J., & Hammond, L. A. (2002). HER-targeted tyrosine-kinase inhibitors. Oncology, 63, 6–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bauer-Wu, S. M., & Rosenbaum, E. (2004). Facing the challenges of stem cell/bone marrow transplantation with mindfulness meditation: A pilot study. Psycho-oncology, 13, S10–S11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baum, C., & Gessert, A. (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) classes as a tool to decrease the anxiety of cancer patients. Psycho-oncology, 13, S13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, S. R. (2002). What do we really know about mindfulness-based stress reduction? Psychosomatic Medicine, 64, 71–83.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brady, M. J., Peterman, A. H., Fitchett, G., Mo, M., & Cella, D. (1999). A case for including spirituality in quality of life measurement in oncology. Psycho-oncology, 8, 417–428.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brotto, L. A., & Heiman, J. R. (2007). Mindfulness in sex therapy: Applications for women with sexual difficulties following gynecologic cancer. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 22(1), 3–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of personality and social psychology, 84, 822–848.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, C., Cornelius, V., Love, S., Graham, J., Richards, M., & Ramirez, A. (2005). Depression and anxiety in women with early breast cancer: Five year observational cohort study. BMJ, 330, 702–705.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, L. E., Angen, M., Cullum, J., Goodey, E., Koopmans, J., Lamont, L., et al. (2004). High levels of untreated distress and fatigue in cancer patients. British Journal of Cancer, 90(12), 2297–2304.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, L. E., & Garland, S. N. (2005). Impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on sleep, mood, stress and fatigue symptoms in cancer outpatients. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 12, 278–285.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, L. E., Speca, M., Patel, K. D., & Faris, P. (2007). One year pre-post intervention follow-up of psychological, immune, endocrine and blood pressure outcomes of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Brain, behavior, and immunity, Online view DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2007.04.002

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, L. E., Speca, M., Patel, K. D., & Goodey, E. (2003). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress, and immune parameters in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Psychosomatic Medicine, 65(4), 571–581.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, L. E., Speca, M., Patel, K. D., & Goodey, E. (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress and levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulftate (DHEAS) and melatonin in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 29, 448–474.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, L. E., Ursuliak, Z., Goodey, E., Angen, M., & Speca, M. (2001). The effects of a mindfulness meditation based stress reduction program on mood and symptoms of stress in cancer outpatients: Six month follow-up. Supportive Care in Cancer, 9, 112–123.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carver, C. S., & Antoni, M. H. (2004). Finding benefit in breast cancer during the year after diagnosis predicts better adjustment 5–8 years after diagnosis. Health Psychology, 23, 595–598.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Compas, B. E., Worsham, N. L., Epping-Jordan, J. E., Grant, K. E., Mireault, G., Howell, D. C., et al. (1994). When mom or dad has cancer: Markers of psychological distress in cancer patients, spouse and children. Health Psychology, 13, 507–515.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cordova, M. J., Cunningham, L. L., Carlson, C. R., & Andrykowski, M. A. (2001). Posttraumatic growth following breast cancer: A controlled comparison study. Health Psychology, 20, 176–185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cotton, S. P., Levine, E. G., Fitzpatrick, C. M., Dold, K. H., & Targ, E. (1999). Exploring the relationships among spiritual well-being, quality of life, and psychological adjustment in women with breast cancer. Psycho-oncology, 8, 429–438.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donnelly, J. M., Kornblith, A. B., Fleishman, S., Zuckerman, E., Raptis, G., Hudis, C. A., et al. (2000). A pilot study of interpersonal psychotherapy by telephone with cancer patients and their partners. Psycho-oncology, 9, 44–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Engstrom, C. A., Strohl, R. A., Rose, L., Lewandowski, L., & Stefanek, M. E. (1999). Sleep alterations in cancer patients. Cancer Nursing, 22, 143–148.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Epping-Jordan, J. E., Compas, B. E., Osowiecki, D. M., Oppedisano, G., Gerhardt, C., Primo, K., et al. (1999). Psychological adjustment in breast cancer: Processes of emotional distress. Health Psychology, 18(4), 315–326.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fortner, B. V., Stepanski, E. J., Wang, S. C., Kasprowicz, S., & Durrence, H. H. (2002). Sleep and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Journal of Pain & Symptom Management, 24(5), 471–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garland, S. N., Carlson, L. E., Cook, S., Lansdell, L., & Speca, M. (2007). A non-randomized comparison of mindfulness-based stress reduction and healing arts programs for facilitating post-traumatic growth and spirituality in cancer outpatients. Supportive care in cancer: official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, Online view DOI: 10.1007/s00520-007-0280-5

    Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, P., Niemann, L., Schmidt, S., & Walach, H. (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57(1), 35–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, J. (1982). Emotional reactions to the diagnosis and treatment of early breast cancer. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 26(2), 277–283.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain and illness. New York: Delacourt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10, 144–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, R. C., Flasher, L., Cacciapaglia, H., & Nelson, S. (2001). The psychosocial impact of cancer and lupus: A cross validation study that extends the generality of “benefit-finding” in patients with chronic disease. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 24, 561–571.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kissane, D. W., Grabsch, B., Love, A., Clarke, D. M., Bloch, S., & Smith, G. C. (2004). Psychiatric disorder in women with early stage and advanced breast cancer: A comparative analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 38, 320–326.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koopman, C., Nouriani, B., Erickson, V., Anupindi, R., Butler, L. D., Bachmann, M. H., et al. (2002). Sleep disturbances in women with metastatic breast cancer. The Breast Journal, 8, 362–370.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kornblith, A. B., & Ligibel, J. (2003). Psychosocial and sexual functioning of survivors of breast cancer. Seminars in Oncology, 30(6), 799–813.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krupski, T. L., Kwan, L., Fink, A., Sonn, G. A., Maliski, S., & Litwin, M. S. (2006). Spirituality influences health related quality of life in men with prostate cancer. Psycho-oncology, 15, 121–131.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lamanque, P., & Daneault, S. (2006). Does meditation improve the quality of life for patients living with cancer? Canadian Family Physician, 52, 474–475.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lechner, S. C., & Antoni, M. H. (2004). Posttraumatic growth and group-based interventions for persons dealing with cancer: What have we learned so far? Psychological Inquiry, 15, 35–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lengacher, C. A., Kip, K. E., Moscoso, M., Johnson-Mallard, V., Molinari, M., Gaurkee, D., et al. (2007). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) improves physical and psychological symptoms, and general health status among breast cancer survivors. Poster Presented at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society, Worcester, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linley, P. A., & Joseph, S. (2004). Positive change following trauma and adversity: A review. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 17, 11–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mackenzie, M. J., Carlson, L. E., Munoz, M., & Speca, M. (2007). A qualitative study of self-perceived effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in a psychosocial oncology setting. Stress and Health: Journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress, 23(1), 59–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackenzie, M. J., Carlson, L. E., & Speca, M. (2005). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in oncology: Rationale and review. Evidence Based Integrative Medicine, 2, 139–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manne, S., Ostroff, J., Winkel, G., Goldstein, L., Fox, K., & Grana, G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth after breast cancer: Patient, partner, and couple perspectives. Psychosomatic Medicine, 66, 442–454.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matchim, Y., & Armer, J. M. (2007). Measuring the psychological impact of mindfulness meditation on health among patients with cancer: A literature review. Oncology Nursing Forum, 34(5), 1059–1066.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Monti, D. A., Peterson, C., Kunkel, E. J., Hauck, W. W., Pequignot, E., Rhodes, L., et al. (2006). A randomized, controlled trial of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) for women with cancer. Psycho-oncology, 15(5), 363–373.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moscoso, M., Reheiser, E. C., & Hann, D. (2004). Effects of a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention on cancer patients. Psycho-oncology, 13, S12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, S. A., Kendall, M., Boyd, K., Worth, A., & Benton, T. F. (2004). Exploring the spiritual needs of people dying of lung cancer or heart failure: A prospective qualitative interview study of patients and their carers. Palliative Medicine, 18, 39–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Cancer Institute of Canada. (2007). Canadian cancer statistics. Canadian Cancer Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman, G. R., Sloan, J. A., Wyrwich, K. W., & Norman, G. R. (2003). Interpretation of changes in health-related quality of life: The remarkable universality of half a standard deviation. Medical Care, 41, 582–592.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Northouse, L. L., Laten, D., & Reddy, P. (1995). Adjustment of women and their husbands to recurrent breast cancer. Research in Nursing and Health, 18, 515–524.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ott, M. J., Norris, R. L., & Bauer-Wu, S. M. (2006). Mindfulness meditation for oncology patients. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 5, 98–108.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peterman, A. H., Fitchett, G., Brady, M. J., Hernandez, L., & Cella, D. (2002). Measuring spiritual well-being in people with cancer: The functional assessment of chronic illness therapy–spiritual well-being scale (FACIT-sp). Annals of Behavioral Medicine: A Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 24(1), 49–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitceathly, C., & Maguire, P. (2003). The psychological impact of cancer on patients’ partners and other key relatives: A review. European Journal of Cancer, 39(11), 1517–1524.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ries, L. A. G., Melbert, D., Krapcho, M., Mariotto, A., Miller, B. A., Feuer, E. J., et al. (2007). SEER cancer statistics review, 1975–2004. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe, J. A., Morrow, G. R., Hickok, J. T., Bushunow, P., Matteson, S., Rakita, D., et al. (2002). Temporal interrelationships among fatigue, circadian rhythm and depression in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Supportive Care in Cancer, 10, 329–336.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Savard, J., & Morin, C. M. (2001). Insomnia in the context of cancer: A review of a neglected problem. Journal of clinical oncology: Official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 19, 895–908.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxe, G. A., Hebert, J. R., Carmody, J. F., Kabat-Zinn, J., Rosenzweig, P. H., Jarzobski, D., et al. (2001). Can diet in conjunction with stress reduction affect the rate of increase in prostate specific antigen after biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer? Journal of Urology, 166, 2202–2207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sephton, S. E., Sapolsky, R. M., Kraemer, H. C., & Spiegel, D. (2000). Diurnal cortisol rhythm as a predictor of breast cancer survival. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 92(12), 994–1000.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, S. L. (2001). Quality of life and breast cancer: Relationship to psychosocial variables. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57, 501–519.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, S. L., Bootzin, R. R., Figueredo, A. J., Lopez, A. M., & Schwartz, G. E. (2003). The efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction in the treatment of sleep disturbance in women with breast cancer: An exploratory study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 54, 85–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. E., Richardson, J., Hoffman, C., & Pilkington, K. (2005). Mindfulness-based stress reduction as supportive therapy in cancer care: Systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52, 315–327.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Speca, M., Carlson, L. E., Goodey, E., & Angen, M. (2000). A randomized, wait-list controlled clinical trial: The effect of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program on mood and symptoms of stress in cancer outpatients. Psychosomatic Medicien, 62(5), 613–622.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strain, J. J. (1998). Adjustment disorders. In J. F. Holland (Ed.), Psycho-oncology (pp. 509–517). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. (2007). Prevalence database: “US estimated complete prevalence counts on 1/1/2004”National Cancer Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, E. J. (2003). Spiritual needs of patients with cancer and family caregivers. Cancer Nursing, 26, 260–266.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • The Trials of Hypertension Prevention Collaborative Research Group. (1997). Effects of weight loss and sodium reduction intervention on blood pressure and hypertension incidence in overweight people with high normal blood pressure. Archives of Internal Medicine, 157, 657–667.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Touitou, Y., Bogdan, A., Levi, F., Benavides, M., & Auzeby, A. (1996). Disruption of the circadian patterns of serum cortisol in breast and ovarian cancer patients: Relationships with tumour marker antigens. British Journal of Cancer, 74, 1248–1252.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van der Poel, H. G. (2004). Smart drugs in prostate cancer. European Urology, 45(1), 1–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van der Pompe, G., Antoni, M. H., & Heijnen, C. J. (1996). Elevated basal cortisol levels and attenuated ACTH and cortisol responses to a behavioral challenge in women with metastatic breast cancer. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 21, 361–374.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Wielingen, L. E., Carlson, L. E., & Campbell, T. S. (2006). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and acute stress responses in women with cancer., 15 S42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Wielingen, L. E., Carlson, L. E., & Campbell, T. S. (2007). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), blood pressure, and psychological functioning in women with cancer. Psychosomatic Medicine, 69(Meeting Abstracts), A43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M. S., Zona, D. M., & Fisher, E. B. (2006). Depressive symptoms after lung cancer surgery: Their relation to coping style and social support. Psycho-oncology, 15(8), 684–693.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2005). WHO cancer control programme.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wua, J., Kraja, A. T., Oberman, A., Lewis, C. E., Ellison, R. C., & Arnett, D. K. (2005). A summary of the effects of antihypertensive medications on measured blood pressure. American Journal of Hypertension, 18, 935–942.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zabora, J., BrintzenhofeSzoc, K., Curbow, B., Hooker, C., & Piantadosi, S. (2001). The prevalence of psychological distress by cancer site. Psycho-oncology, 10(1), 19–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Calgary, Calgary

    Linda E. Carlson

Authors
  1. Linda E. Carlson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laura E. Labelle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sheila N. Garland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marion L. Hutchins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kathryn Birnie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Coord. Unit for Mood & Anxiety Disorders Department of Psychiatry, Casa di Cura Villa Margherita, Arcugnano, Vicenza, Italy

    Fabrizio Didonna

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Carlson, L.E., Labelle, L.E., Garland, S.N., Hutchins, M.L., Birnie, K. (2009). Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Oncology. In: Didonna, F. (eds) Clinical Handbook of Mindfulness. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09593-6_21

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation