PURPOSE: To investigate whether a mindfulness-based stress reduction program for 
cancer (MBSR-C) improved psychological and physical symptoms, quality of life 
(QOL), and stress markers among advanced-stage cancer patients and caregivers.
DESIGN: A pilot within-subject design was used.
METHOD: Patients previously diagnosed with advanced-stage breast, colon, lung, 
or prostate cancer and on treatment were recruited from the Moffitt Cancer 
Center and Research Institute. Twenty-six patient-caregiver dyads completed a 
modified 6-week, self-study MBSR-C program based on the Kabat-Zinn model. 
Psychological and physical symptoms and QOL were compared pre- and post-MBSR-C 
sessions. Salivary cortisol and interleukin-6 were assessed pre- and post-MBSR-C 
session at 1, 3, and 6 weeks.
FINDINGS: Following the 6-week MBSR program, patients showed improvements in 
stress and anxiety (p < .05); caregivers' psychological and QOL also improved 
but were not statistically significant. Both patients and caregivers had 
decreases in cortisol at Weeks 1 and 3 (p < .05) but not at Week 6. Similar to 
cortisol levels at Week 6, salivary interleukin-6 levels were lower overall 
(before/after an MBSR-C session), compared with Week 1 for patients and 
caregivers.
CONCLUSIONS: MBSR-C may be a beneficial intervention for reducing stress, 
anxiety, cortisol levels, and symptoms in advanced-stage cancer patients and may 
also benefit caregivers.