A group mindfulness program for breast cancer survivors was compared with an education support program for cost-effectiveness. Over six months, the mindfulness program cost $5,744 per participant on average, while the education program cost $6,140. The mindfulness program dominated the education program in cost-utility analysis, saving $541 per participant while providing a small gain in quality-adjusted life years (0.021 QALY). Savings came mainly from fewer emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and tests. The mindfulness program had a higher probability of being cost-effective across a range of willingness-to-pay thresholds. The findings suggest the mindfulness program is likely cost-effective for breast cancer survivors.
A 6-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program adapted for breast cancer survivors (MBSR(BC)) increased optimism and mindfulness compared with usual care, but did not improve social support. Among 322 post-treatment breast cancer survivors (stages 0–III, average age 56.6) randomized to MBSR(BC) or usual care, self-reported optimism and mindfulness rose significantly more in the MBSR group at 6 and 12 weeks. Social support scores did not differ between groups. The findings suggest that MBSR(BC) may foster adaptive stress responses and some psychosocial benefits, potentially aiding cancer recovery and quality of life.
A randomized clinical trial tested whether improvements in cognitive functioning and perceived cognitive abilities from a 6-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program for breast cancer survivors (MBSR[BC]) were mediated by increased mindfulness, decreased rumination, or decreased perceived stress. Among 212 breast cancer survivors (mean age 56.5, 73.1% White non-Hispanic), increases in the "observing" facet of mindfulness partially mediated MBSR(BC) effects on quality-of-life impairments and logical memory at 6 months compared to usual care. No mediation effects were found at 6 or 12 weeks, nor when MBSR(BC) was compared to a Breast Cancer Education Support program. The results partially support that cognitive improvements may occur through increased mindfulness.
A 6-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program for breast cancer (MBSR(BC)) reduced the stress hormone cortisol and the inflammatory marker interleukin-6 (IL-6) immediately after class sessions in breast cancer survivors. Cortisol levels dropped from before to after class at both Week 1 and Week 6, and IL-6 decreased from before to after class at Week 6. However, no differences in cortisol or IL-6 were found between the MBSR(BC) group and a usual-care control group when comparing measurements taken at the start and end of the 6-week program. Small but significant links were seen between IL-6 levels and symptoms and quality of life across both groups. The results suggest MBSR(BC) can produce short-term reductions in these biological stress markers.