RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of meditation on the psychological stress level of women with breast cancer. METHOD: A systematic literature review performed in the LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and Web of Science databases. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 22 studies using Mindfulness, Transcendental Meditation, and Contemplative Self-Healing Meditation techniques. There was a significant effect of meditation on stress reduction, post-traumatic stress symptoms, self-reported stress, and chronic stress verified. In some studies, the effect was associated with decreased cortisol and increased telomerase. CONCLUSION: Meditation has shown positive effects in reducing physical and emotional symptoms such as psychological stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue, fear of recurrence and rumination, representing an efficient strategy for coping with the disease and improving quality of life.