Modelling the Effects of Mindfulness Based Stress on Breast Cancer Survival Rate among Women in Meru and Nyeri Counties, Kenya, Using Cox Proportional Hazard Model

Abstract

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, affecting 34 women per every 100,000. This has led to high number of fatalities annually, which need to be mitigated. Establishing alternative conventional therapies such as working on mindfulness-based stress (MBS) may be a good alternative to improve prognosis and survival rate of breast cancer patients. However, there is little information on the effects of MBS factors on breast cancer survival. The objective of this study is to predict the effect of MBS factors on breast cancer survival rate among women in Meru and Nyeri Counties using Cox Proportional Hazard Model. Both primary data and secondary data were used. Primary data was obtained using a structured questionnaire from the breast cancer survivors and the medical practioners, while secondary data was obtained from records at Meru teaching and referral hospital and Nyeri level five hospital for the period 2012 to 2017. The MBS variables included cost burden of treatment, stress on diagnosis, prolonged time taken to access treatment, poor diet, alcohol use, physical activity and lack of awareness. . This study used mixed method research design. Data obtained were analysed using R software. Kaplain-Meier estimators were used to estimate the varying effects of MBS factors on survival rate. Log-rank test was used to perform comparisons of survival curves on the patients’ survival rate considering age. The likelihood ratio test showed that MBS factors are significant in predicting hazard rates ( X2= 66.7, p = 0.0000119). Treatment period, lack of awareness, ease of coping with stress and observing the right diet were also found to significantly (p < 0.05) affect breast cancer survival rate. Access of treatment immediately after diagnosis, availing the right information to the patients, helping patients to cope easily with stress and observing the right diet were found to be the best estimators in increasing breast cancer survival rate. The study showed the importance of using model in predicting breast cancer survival rates, which can greatly improve breast cancer prognosis.