OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the ongoing effects of participation in a 
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on quality of life (QL), 
symptoms of stress, mood and endocrine, immune and autonomic parameters in early 
stage breast and prostate cancer patients.
METHODS: Forty-nine patients with breast cancer and 10 with prostate cancer 
enrolled in an eight-week MBSR program that incorporated relaxation, meditation, 
gentle yoga and daily home practice. Demographic and health behaviors, QL, mood, 
stress symptoms, salivary cortisol levels, immune cell counts, intracellular 
cytokine production, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were assessed pre- 
and post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-month follow-up.
RESULTS: Fifty-nine, 51, 47 and 41 patients were assessed pre- and 
post-intervention and at 6- and 12-month follow-up, respectively, although not 
all participants provided data on all outcomes at each time point. Linear mixed 
modeling showed significant improvements in overall symptoms of stress which 
were maintained over the follow-up period. Cortisol levels decreased 
systematically over the course of the follow-up. Immune patterns over the year 
supported a continued reduction in Th1 (pro-inflammatory) cytokines. Systolic 
blood pressure (SBP) decreased from pre- to post-intervention and HR was 
positively associated with self-reported symptoms of stress.
CONCLUSIONS: MBSR program participation was associated with enhanced quality of 
life and decreased stress symptoms, altered cortisol and immune patterns 
consistent with less stress and mood disturbance, and decreased blood pressure. 
These pilot data represent a preliminary investigation of the longer-term 
relationships between MBSR program participation and a range of potentially 
important biomarkers.