Researchers from Barcelona, Spain find that relaxation and guided imagery reduce anxiety, depression and body discomfort in isolated cancer patients undergoing brachytherapy (radioactive seed implantation).

Sixty-six patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=32) or the control group (n=34). Patients in both groups received training regarding brachytherapy, but only the first group received training in relaxation and guided imagery. Results were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and on quality of life prior to, during and after brachytherapy.

Researchers from the University of Miami find that group cognitive-behavioral stress management improves the quality of life in breast cancer patients, the most powerful component being the ability to relax at will.

Researchers from the University of Miami tested a 10-week group cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention among 199 women newly treated for non-metastatic breast cancer, following them for 1 year after recruitment.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University find that cancer patients who elect to use complementary therapies during treatment are more likely to adhere to one treatment (regardless of what it is) than many.

Researchers from the School of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University (including our old friend, Gwen Wyatt from Michigan State University) explored the patterns of how complementary therapies (CTs) are used over time, and the difference in use from assigning just one over multiple therapies.

Researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston reviewed the impact of mindfulness meditation on cancer patients. A literature search produced 9 research articles published in the past 5 years, and 5 conference abstracts published in 2004. Most studies were conducted with breast and prostate cancer patients, and the mindfulness intervention was done in a clinic-based group setting.

The search revealed consistent benefits--improved psychological functioning, reduction of stress symptoms, enhanced coping and improved sense of well-being in cancer outpatients.

A literature review on complementary therapies for cancer, released by the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), gives a good overview of their potential for helping with treating cancer.

An important review of the literature on CAM therapies and cancer treatment was recently released by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

Generally speaking, reports of use vary by geographical area, gender, and disease diagnosis. Prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients in the United States has been reported at anywhere between 7% and 54%.

Most cancer patients use CAM with the hope of boosting the immune system, relieving pain, and controlling side effects related to disease or treatment. A minority of patients use these therapies to help with cure.

Researchers from the School of Nursing at the University of Michigan evaluate a post-treatment self-regulation program of self-management for 25 breast cancer patients and find it highly effective.

Researchers from the School of Nursing at the University of Michigan evaluated a program of self-management for breast cancer patients after treatment. The program, called Taking CHARGE, involved a two-pronged approach building on self-regulation principles to (1) equip women with self-management skills to address concerns following breast cancer treatment, and (2) provide information about common survivorship topics.

Researchers at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Canada studied the effects on early stage breast and prostate cancer patients of a mindfulness-based stress reduction meditation program, on quality of life, mood states.

Researchers at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Canada studied the effects on early stage breast and prostate cancer patients of a mindfulness-based stress reduction meditation program, investigating its impact on quality of life, mood states, stress symptoms, and levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) and melatonin.

A Korean study with 30 breast cancer patients demonstrated that guided imagery and progressive relaxation administered together before each of 6 cycles of chemotherapy, reduces anticipatory nausea and vomiting, improves quality of life.

Researchers at the Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea studied the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation training (PMRT) and guided imagery (GI) in reducing the anticipatory nausea and vomiting (ANV) and postchemotherapy nausea and vomiting (PNV) and in increasing quality of life for patients with breast cancer.

Two-thirds of women treated for breast cancer followed their conventional medical therapy with one or more CAM (complementary and alternative) therapies, and most especially relaxation/meditation, herbs, spiritual healing and megavitamins.

More and more women are now successfully being treated for breast cancer, and wind up searching for ways to hedge their bets on staying strong and well after treatment is completed. A recent survey out of Western Oregon University asked 551 ex-breast cancer patients about their use of 15 different complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies after completion of allopathic therapy for breast cancer. These were women in the Portland OR area who were diagnosed an average of 3.5 years earlier.