Stress-busting meditation improves quality of life for breast cancer patients
Stress-busting meditation improves quality of life for breast cancer patients
Breast cancer survivors can boost their quality of life through a calming technique known as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), medical experts have claimed.University of Missouri researchers in the Sinclair School of Nursing said the meditation technique improves physical and mental wellbeing in people overcoming the disease.
Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in Irish women, and advances in diagnosis and treatment have increased survival rates over the past few years, although the disease remains the biggest cause of cancer deaths in women in Ireland.
MBSR involves a combination meditation, yoga and physical awareness. The benefits of the technique were identified by Yaowarat Matchim, a former nursing doctoral student; Jane Armer, professor of nursing; and Bob Stewart, professor emeritus of education and adjunct faculty in nursing.
Professor Armer said: "MBSR is another tool to enhance the lives of breast cancer survivors. 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 programme implemented involves breast cancer survivors participating in group sessions for eight to ten weeks, during which time they are taught meditation skills, learn how their bodies respond when they are stressed and how to cope with anxiety.
After completing the MBSR programme, the patients had lower blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate, while also reporting a better mood.
Professor Armer said MBSR brings with it both long-term and short-term benefits for breast cancer patients.
"Post diagnosis, breast cancer patients often feel like they have no control over their lives. 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," he added.
"Mindfulness-based meditation, ideally, should be practiced every day or at least on a routine schedule."
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