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 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.