Supportive Care

Mindfulness as an Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors

Deirdre Kiely

Shira Schwartz

breast cancer, symptom clusters, mindfulness-based stress reduction
CJON 2016, 20(4), 357-359. DOI: 10.1188/16.CJON.357-359

Breast cancer survivors often turn to complementary health approaches (CHAs) to address the effects of treatment. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a type of CHA that uses attentional and meditative exercises to minimize stress and increase awareness of the present. This article aims to determine whether adequate evidence-based research with uniform methodologies and outcomes to support MBSR as an intervention for breast cancer survivors exists.

At a Glance

  • One challenge for oncology nurses is being able to recognize which patients are likely to seek out CHAs to deal with various effects of treatment.
  • A discussion of the use of CHAs with interested patients will help to maximize benefits, minimize risk, and facilitate integration of safe and effective use of CHAs into conventional cancer care.
  • Additional research is needed to support the use of MBSR as an effective intervention for breast cancer survivors.
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