Abstract
The effects of an eight-week mindfulness-based program (MBSR) were investigated on psychological and physical symptoms in women with cancer. Specifically, state anxiety and depression, pain and distress symptoms were investigated in forty women with breast cancer. A focus of this study was to expand the use of instruments in this area by administering the following measures: the Centre for Epidemiologie Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and the Symptom Distress Scale for cancer (SDS). Results showed positive and significant changes in pre-to-post scores on the above factors including state anxiety. Future studies that expand on factors and instruments are needed to fully determine the effectiveness of MBSR programs in alleviating distress and suffering in individuals with cancer.