Associations between religious and spiritual variables and neuroimmune activity in survivors of breast cancer: a feasibility study

• Published in: Supportive care in cancer Vol. 29; no. 11; pp. 6421 - 6429
• Main Authors: Hulett, Jennifer M., Johnstone, Brick, Armer, Jane M., Deroche, Chelsea, Millspaugh, Rami, Millspaugh, Joshua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.11.2021; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Amylases; Analysis; Biomarkers; Breast cancer; Cancer; Care and treatment; Feasibility studies; Health aspects; Interleukins; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nursing; Nursing Research; Oncology; Oncology, Experimental; Original Article; Pain Medicine; Rankings; Rehabilitation Medicine; Religion; Religious aspects; Stress management; Variables; Well being; Women; Breast cancer; Salivary alpha-amylase; Neuroimmune; Religious; Spiritual; Interleukin-6
• ISSN: 0941-4355; 1433-7339; 1433-7339
• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06224-7

Purpose Chronic stress is associated with neuroimmune inflammation and adverse outcomes in breast cancer survivors. Some breast cancer survivors rely on religious and spiritual (R/S) variables to manage stress after breast cancer treatment. A spiritually based psychoneuroimmunological (PNI) model of health suggests that R/S variables influence neuroimmune activity; however, these associations are not well-established. A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of studying associations between R/S variables and neuroimmune biomarkers in breast cancer survivors. Method Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were sampled among women previously treated for breast cancer. The primary aim was to assess feasibility and acceptability of the sampling protocol. A secondary aim explored associations between sAA, IL-6, R/S variables, and health outcomes. Result Forty-one women completed the study. Biomarker sampling yielded 246 acceptable specimens used for analysis. SAA was detectable in 96% of specimens and IL-6 was detectable in 44% of specimens. The R/S variables with the strongest associations to sAA were spiritual self-rank ( rs  = .39; p  < .05) and forgiveness ( rs  = .40; p  < .05). The R/S variable with the strongest association to salivary IL-6 was positive congregational support ( rs  = .42; p  < .05). Conclusion Feasibility and acceptability of the sampling protocol were confirmed. Reference ranges for sAA and IL-6 for female breast cancer survivors are presented. Results suggest that spiritual beliefs and religious practices are associated with neuroimmune activity, adding credence to a spiritually based PNI model of health. Findings lay the foundations for future R/S-based interventions to promote health and well-being in breast cancer survivors.