Cronin knows how quieting the mind to focus intently on a raisin or another everyday item can relieve stress and help her deal with the breast cancer she was diagnosed with in July 2003. Cronin was part of a Loyola University Chicago study about the role mindfulness meditation might play in improving a cancer patient's outlook on life, thereby spurring the immune system to produce more cancer-fighting blood cells.

Cronin, 43, lives in Glen Ellyn with her 13-year-old daughter and runs her own business as a geographic information specialist helping corporations create intelligent maps. Last summer she “buried a girlfriend who died from breast cancer’ and for that reason Cronin decided to have a diagnostic exam herself. To her surprise, a small lump was found near her chest wall. Her cousin urged Tara to visit Loyola University Health System (Loyola) Breast Diagnostic Clinic where she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.

Multidisciplinary specialists at Loyola's Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center (CBCC) took Tara from diagnosis through recovery. Following the biopsy, Cronin had two surgeries to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. While she was undergoing drug and radiation treatments at the CBCC Breast Oncology Center in the fall, she was invited to participate in the mindfulness meditation study.

Linda Janusek, R.N., Ph.D., professor, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago, is the principal investigator of the project, and Herbert Matthews, Ph.D., professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, is the co-investigator. Through collaboration with physicians from Loyola's Breast Care Center: Kathy Albain, M.D., medical oncologist and director of Breast Research Program; Sheryl Gabram, M.D., surgeon and director of Breast Clinical Program; and Kevin Albuquerque M.D. radiation oncologist, three groups comprised of 12 women have been enrolled. The goal is to enroll 70 women in the study, which continues through fall 2005.

The women take part in eight weekly sessions conducted by specially trained clinical psychologists, where they learn mindfulness meditation and gentle hatha yoga to control stress, depression and uncertainty about their future. They learn various meditation techniques and are asked to practice daily at home.

Besides measuring changes in mood, perceived stress and quality of life, Janusek and Matthews also examine whether regular practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance immune system activity.

Before, during and after their meditation training, the women give blood samples to be tested for markers of immune system activity and the quantity of natural killer cells – white blood cells that can recognize and kill tumor cells. The level of cytokines – chemicals that help regulate the immune system – also are measured. No other study of mindfulness meditation has focused specifically on breast cancer patients in treatment nor examined immune system response to cancer in this way.

Mindfulness is an ancient concept in many religious traditions, particularly Buddhism. The idea is to step back from the constant stream of thoughts that run through a person's mind – to stop giving energy to thoughts about the past, the future and interpretations of the present and to find the stillness that exists between thoughts. Instead of getting caught up in “what if’ thinking, the study participants learn to be nonjudgmental and open to the present moment. On a biological level, mindfulness meditation can help people reduce the surge of stress hormones that usually is triggered by worry and fear.

Cronin, now a breast cancer survivor, calls the mindfulness techniques she learned “wonderful, very beneficial’ and finds them useful in dealing both with the everyday stress of running her own business and the fear of cancer. “When I feel stressed, I use the techniques, and it makes a big difference.’

Cronin is very thankful to the staff at Loyola for their coordinated team approach to her illness. “Talk about the best care I could have ever had – my doctor, the nurses, even the receptionists. Whatever their formula is for putting together a team, it works. I feel very lucky."

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