Mindfulness and Cancer: A Contemporary Guide to MBCT for Cancer

Receiving a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment are significant life events. Few illnesses are more shocking or have such a far-reaching impact. Yet too often, there is little or no psychological support at the time of diagnosis, during treatment, or for those in recovery. Tackling this issue, Mindfulness and Cancer offers an accessible guide for mindfulness teachers, enabling them to reach ordinary people with cancer and teach them skills to help them turn towards difficult experiences, manage their thoughts and feelings and stay positive in the face of adversity. MBCT for Cancer is founded on a ‘ three circles’ model, in which people move from suffering (involving trauma, rumination and avoidance), through mindful awareness (intention, coming back, turning towards and kindness) to a new state of presence and wellbeing. The book includes a range of brief, eyes-open practices that people with cancer can call on to help them navigate real-life moments in clinics, treatment rooms and at home. Trish Bartley is a mindfulness teacher, trainer, supervisor and retreat leader who has been involved with MBCT since its earliest days.

Trish Barrtley is a mindfulness teacher, trainer, supervisor and retreat leader who has been involved with MBCT since its earliest days. She is a founding member of the Centre for Mindfulness, Research and Practice (CMRP), Bangor University, where she taught on the mindfulness master’ s program for many years, leading the advanced teacher training module. Trish taught mindfulness to cancer patients in a local oncology unitin North Wales from 2001- 20, adapting and refining the 8-week MBCT programme specifically for the needs of cancer patients.