The Efficacy of a Retreat for Low-Income Women with Breast Cancer

This investigation explored the benefits of a retreat for low-income women with breast cancer. Forty-six women participated in a 3-day retreat that included workshops and alternative therapies. At the end of the retreat, women felt that they were more able to cope with problems related to their cancer care. The benefits of the retreat also included decreased negative moods such as depression and anxiety. Two months after the retreat, the women felt that their problems were less troublesome than before the retreat, and the increases in positive mood continued. We hope that this project will be the first in a continuing effort to elucidate the special needs of low-income women with breast cancer and to develop effective interventions with this population.