Mindfulness for Living Well During and After Cancer
Oct 22, 2026
Read Time: 3 Minutes
By: Jessica Cohan, MD, MAS, FACS, FASCRS
Takeaways: Jessica Cohan, MD, MAS, FACS, FASCRS, surgeon-scientist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of surgery at the University of Utah, shares how mindfulness can support well-being for people with cancer. Mindfulness is the practice of noticing what is happening in the present moment, including thoughts, emotions, and body sensations, with curiosity and compassion. Impact: Huntsman Cancer Institute cares for the whole person by integrating supportive care services that help patients manage both the physical and emotional side effects of cancer.
Cancer can affect every part of life. Beyond the appointments, treatments, and physical symptoms, many people find themselves navigating anxiety, uncertainty, changes in their relationships, sleep, energy, eating, movement, and sense of identity. It can be hard to know where to begin.
The Integrative Oncology Group Medical Visits at Huntsman Cancer Institute offer a supportive space to learn practical skills and connect with others facing similar challenges.
This four-week series brings together people who are undergoing or have completed cancer treatment to learn practical, evidence-informed skills for living well, with a focus on emotional wellbeing, nutrition, movement, and fatigue.
Each visit will pair medical guidance with an opportunity to practice mindfulness and an experiential session designed to help you put the week’s concepts into practice in daily life.
Mindfulness is the practice of noticing what is happening in the present moment, including thoughts, emotions, and body sensations, with curiosity and compassion. It does not require a quiet mind or a constant sense of calm. Instead, it can help us pause and respond to difficult moments with greater awareness.
For some people, mindfulness may be most helpful when anxiety rises before a scan or treatment. For others, it may offer a way to settle the mind before sleep, reconnect with the body through gentle movement, or become more aware of the thoughts and emotions that shape eating habits. It can support communication with loved ones and the health care team, help create space for rest and self-compassion, and make room for moments of meaning and joy alongside the very real challenges of cancer. The goal is not to add another item to your to-do list or ask you to make sweeping changes all at once. Instead, we will explore small practices that can fit into daily life: a few minutes of breathing before an appointment, a mindful walk, a more intentional pause before a meal, or a way to recognize when you need support. Participants will have an opportunity to consider which approaches feel most relevant to their own values, needs, and circumstances.
As a colorectal surgeon, I have seen how much cancer and its treatment can affect all aspects of life. My training in integrative oncology has expanded the ways I can support patients as they move through treatment and survivorship. I am excited to share skills that can help people care for themselves in ways that go beyond what I could offer through my surgical expertise alone. Mindfulness has also changed my own life for the better. It has helped me experience less anxiety, relax more easily, strengthen my relationships, and feel more comfortable being myself in both my personal and professional life. I recognize that it is a lifelong practice, and I look forward to remaining a lifelong student. I am grateful for what I have learned through completing the Unified Mindfulness Foundations Teacher Training, and I am excited to share these practices with others. You do not need prior experience with meditation or mindfulness to participate. If you are curious about learning practical skills to support your well-being during or after cancer, this series may be a good fit for you. I look forward to meeting you.
To register or learn more about the Integrative Oncology Group Medical Visits, call 801-587-4585
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