Rapid Reduction in Cancer Worry Through a Mindfulness-based Coping Programme: Evidence from a Randomised Trial with Women Awaiting Biopsy Results.
Fatma Ozlem Uner, Oznur Korukcu
Seminars in Oncology Nursing June 27, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2026.152284 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Women undergoing colposcopy after abnormal cervical smears at a university hospital in Turkey |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Coping Programme (MBCP) |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Colposcopy Biopsy Prospective studies Single-blind method Adaptation, psychological Adult Middle aged Turkey Uterine cervical neoplasms Female Coping skills Cancer Screening Nursing Patient education Fear |
| Key findings | The Mindfulness-Based Coping Programme significantly reduced mean cancer worry scores in women undergoing colposcopy compared with controls, and produced significantly higher discrimination sub-dimension scores and significantly lower acceptance scores (all P < .001). The authors conclude the nursing-led programme effectively reduces cancer-related anxiety and recommend its integration into standard colposcopy care. |
Abstract
Background: Women referred for cervical screening because of abnormal cervical smears also require emotional and psychological support because of the fear of cancer diagnosis.
Objectives: The study aimed to determine the effect of the Mindfulness-Based Coping programme on levels of cancer fear and awareness in women undergoing colposcopy.
Methods: This is a prospective, single-centre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Research data was collected at a university hospital in Turkey between January 2022 and July 2023.
Results: The study revealed significant findings. The mean cancer worry score of women in the intervention group decreased significantly compared to the control group, the mean discrimination sub-dimension score was significantly higher than the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < .001). Mean scores for acceptance were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P < .001).
Conclusions: This study found that the Mindfulness-Based Coping Programme, a nursing initiative, effectively reduces cancer-related anxiety in women and recommends its wider integration into clinical practice by healthcare professionals. Implications for practice: The integration of the Mindfulness-Based Coping Programme (MBCP) into standard colposcopy care is effective in reducing cancer-related anxiety and improving emotional well-being, thus promoting a more holistic approach to patient care.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 10
- Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators The Journal of Positive Psychology April 11, 2012
- Mindfulness‐based interventions for psychological and physical health outcomes in cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Psycho-Oncology September 11, 2019
- The use of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for breast cancer patients-meta-analysis. BMC Psychology November 1, 2024
- Effects of online mindfulness-based stress reduction training on depression and anxiety symptoms among psychiatric healthcare workers in a randomized controlled trial: the mediating role of emotional suppression. BMC Psychiatry June 4, 2025
- La intervención psicológica en mindfulness con pacientes supervivientes de cáncer de mama. Revisión sistemática Psicooncología 1970
and 5 more in the library