Avon Foundation Program to Improve Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

Contemplative Self-Healing to Improve Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors: the Avon Foundation Program to Reach Medically Underserved Populations

Women with breast cancer often suffer significant distress and disability from their disease. A practice of meditation-based stress reduction and cognitive-affective-behavioral learning may help women with breast cancer decrease their suffering and improve their quality of life.

The objective of this study in women recently treated for breast cancer is to determine whether an intervention program consisting of group and individual instruction in a meditation-based practice of stress-reduction and cognitive-affective-behavioral learning has the potential for reducing disabling distress and improving quality of life in a population vulnerable to the progression or recurrence of disease. Quality of life will be assessed at 12 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

All women with stage I-III breast cancer who have received treatment within the preceding year will be eligible for inclusion in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who refuse to participate will be excluded
2. Patients with metastatic (stage IV) cancer are excluded.