Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Seeks Seattle Area Volunteers for a Stress-reduction Study

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Seeks Seattle Area Volunteers for a
Stress-reduction Study

SEATTLE, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- (ongoing until further notice)

WHAT: Are you stressed? Do you have a family history of breast cancer?

Health SMART is a study is being conducted by researchers at Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to see how stress-reduction
workshops can help women with a family history of breast cancer
manage their everyday stresses and cancer-risk concerns. The goal
of the study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, is to see
whether various stress-management and coping techniques reduce
stress and improve immune function.

Specifically, the study will teach women scientifically proven
stress-management techniques (such as mindfulness meditation and
guided imagery), coping strategies (such as anger management and
assertiveness training) and provide information on health
behaviors. All workshops are conducted in a supportive group
setting with other women who have a family history of breast
cancer. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires,
give blood and saliva samples, and receive two hepatitis-A
vaccinations. Some risks involved in participating in the study
include the possibility of discomfort and a bruise at the blood
draw site, the possibility of distress from discussing one's
breast cancer risk in a group setting, brief pain at the
hepatitis-A vaccination injection site and, in rare cases, an
allergic reaction to the vaccine. There is no charge to
participate.

All participants will receive a set of CDs with relaxation
exercises, a tote bag and a workbook filled with stress-
management techniques taught in the classes.

WHO: The study aims to recruit 96 Seattle-area women, age 18 to 60,
who are willing to participate in 10 two-hour workshops.

WHERE: All study activities will take place on the Hutchinson Center
campus in the Prevention Center, which is located in the Robert
M. Arnold Building, 1212 Aloha St., Seattle.

CONTACT: For more information about the Health SMART Study, please visit
http://www.fhcrc.org/science/phs/health_smart/, call the study
information line at 206-667-2448 or e-mail healthsmart@fhcrc.org

Kristen Lidke Woodward
Senior Media Relations Manager
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
External Affairs and Communications Department
1100 Fairview Ave. N., J5-300
P.O. Box 19024
Seattle, WA 98109-1024
Phone: 206-667-5095
Fax: 206-667-7005

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SOURCE Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Kristen Lidke Woodward, Senior Media Relations Manager of Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Center, External Affairs and Communications Department,
+1-206-667-5095, or fax, +1-206-667-7005