Stress and Immunity Breast Cancer Project
Abstract
A biobehavioral model of cancer stress and disease course has been proposed (see Andersen, Kiecolt-Glaser, & Glaser, 1994). We are testing the model with a clinical trial: 235 women with stage II or III breast cancer who have been diagnosed and recently surgically treated are randomized between two conditions: (1) assessment and intervention, or (2) assessment only (control). 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. Data from the project indicate that psychological stress following diagnosis has a down regulating effect on immunity (Andersen et al., 1998). Psychological stress is also instrumental in increasing a woman's risk for 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, in press). Importantly, the psychological intervention results in significantly fewer depressive symptoms, lower levels of endocrine (cortisol), and higher mucin 1 antibody responses (Andersen et al., under review).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADB259035
Entities
People
- Barbara L Andersen
Organizations
- Ohio State University