Futurity.org ? Breast cancer survivors benefit from mindfulness

Breast cancer survivors who learned meditation techniques lowered their blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate, research shows. (Credit: iStockphoto)

U. MISSOURI (US) ? Mindfulness-based stress reduction may ease recovery for breast cancer survivors, researchers say.

Women recently diagnosed with breast cancer have higher survival rates than those diagnosed in previous decades, according to the American Cancer Society.

However, survivors continue to face health challenges after their treatments end. Previous research reports that as many as 50 percent of breast cancer survivors are depressed.

Now, University of Missouri researchers in the Sinclair School of Nursing say a meditation technique can help breast cancer survivors improve their emotional and physical well-being.

The researchers found that breast cancer survivors? health improved after they learned Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a type of mindfulness training that incorporates meditation, yoga, and physical awareness.

?MBSR is another tool to enhance the lives of breast cancer survivors,? says Jane Armer, professor of nursing. ?Patients often are given a variety of options to reduce stress, but they should choose what works for them according to their lifestyles and belief systems.?

The MBSR program consists of group sessions throughout a period of eight to ten weeks. During the sessions, participants practice meditation skills, discuss how bodies respond to stress, and learn coping techniques.

As reported in Western Journal of Nursing Research, the researchers found survivors who learned MBSR lowered their blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate.

In addition, participants? mood improved, and their level of mindfulness increased after taking the class. For best results, Armer says, participants should continue MBSR after the class ends to maintain the positive effects.

?Mindfulness-based meditation, ideally, should be practiced every day or at least on a routine schedule,? Armer says. ?MBSR teaches patients new ways of thinking that will give them short- and long-term benefits.?

The non-pharmaceutical approach works best as a complement to other treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

?Post diagnosis, breast cancer patients often feel like they have no control over their lives,? Armer says. ?Knowing that they can control something?such as meditation?and that it will improve their health, gives them hope that life will be normal again.?

More news from the University of Missouri: http://munews.missouri.edu/

Source: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/breast-cancer-survivors-benefit-from-mindfulness/

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