Reduction of cancer-specific thought intrusions and anxiety symptoms with a stress management intervention among women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
After surgery for breast cancer, many women experience anxiety relating to the cancer that can adversely affect quality of life and emotional functioning during the year postsurgery. Symptoms such as intrusive thoughts may be ameliorated during this period with a structured, group-based cognitive behavior intervention.


METHODS
A 10-week group cognitive behavior stress management intervention that included anxiety reduction (relaxation training), cognitive restructuring, and coping skills training was tested among 199 women newly treated for stage 0-III breast cancer. They were then followed for 1 year after recruitment.


RESULTS
The intervention reduced reports of thought intrusion, interviewer ratings of anxiety, and emotional distress across 1 year significantly more than was seen with the control condition. The beneficial effects were maintained well past the completion of adjuvant therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Structured, group-based cognitive behavior stress management may ameliorate cancer-related anxiety during active medical treatment for breast cancer and for 1 year following treatment. Group-based cognitive behavior stress management is a clinically useful adjunct to offer to women treated for breast cancer.
Antoni
Michael H
MH
Department of Psychology, 5665 Ponce DeLeon Blvd., University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124-0751, USA. MAntoni@miami.edu
Wimberly
Sarah R
SR
Lechner
Suzanne C
SC
Kazi
Aisha
A
Sifre
Tammy
T
Urcuyo
Kenya R
KR
Phillips
Kristin
K
Smith
Roselyn G
RG
Petronis
Vida M
VM
Guellati
Sophie
S
Wells
Kurrie A
KA
Blomberg
Bonnie
B
Carver
Charles S
CS
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome