Stress and Immunity Breast Cancer Project
Abstract
A biobehavioral model of cancer stress and disease course was proposed (see Andersen, Kiecolt- Glaser, & Glaser, 1994). We are testing the model with a clinical trial: 231 women with stage II or III breast cancer are randomized between assessment and intervention or assessment only (control) study arms. In addition to documenting the quality of life benefits of a psychological intervention, this study provides an experimental test of the psychological and behavioral variables which may influence health outcomes directly. Further, we test specific mechanisms--alteration in immune and endocrine functions--to achieve beneficial health effects for women with breast cancer. Our data indicates that psychological stress is instrumental in increasing a woman's risk for lower quality of life and depressive symptoms following definitive surgery (Golden-Kreutz et al., under review), and stress due to breast cancer surgery produces sexual and body image difficulties (Yurek et al, 2000). Further, psychological stress has a down regulating effect on immunity (Andersen et al., 1998). Preliminary data suggest that the psychological intervention results in lower stress, improved quality of life, reductions in negative health behaviors, improved cancer treatment compliance, lower stress hormone (cortisol) responses, and higher immune (t cell blastogenesis) responses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA389737
Entities
People
- Barbara L Andersen
Organizations
- Ohio State University