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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

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

Conditions
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Breast Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Mindfulness based meditation program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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: Patients who refuse to participate will be excluded Patients with metastatic (stage IV) cancer are excluded.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 101 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Mindfulness based meditation program<br>Meditation and Breast Cancer: Subjects will participate in an intervention consisting of group and individual instruction in a meditation-based practice of stress reduction and cognitive-affective-behavioral learning. | Behavioral: Mindfulness based meditation program<br>* Subjects will participate in an intervention consisting of group and individual instruction in a meditation-based practice of stress-reduction and cognitive-affective-behavioral learning.<br>* Other names: Meditation and Breast Cancer;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Quality of life will be assessed by within patient differences in the FACT-G (General Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment Scale), as well as with the disease specific subscales at baseline and at 12 months. |  | Subjects will complete questionnaires at baseline and closeout. Patients will participate in the meditation program weekly for 20 weeks. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Meditation, Stress-reduction, Cognitive-affective behavior learning