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INFLUENCES OF A 7-WEEK-HIKE ON THE AWARENESS / ATTENTION OF BREAST CANCER PATIENTSBreast cancer with its intensive medical therapy has a generalized and lasting influence on the concerning patient. Negative psychological effects can be observed still many years after diagnosis. These include depressions and the closely connected missing ability to focus the attention on the present. Fears and concerns shape the emotions of the female patients over many years. The present project sets at this problem. In April/May 2008, 12 women, in the condition after breast cancer, hiked the Camino de Santiago, a route distance of 815 km, for seven weeks. The questionnaire Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) was filled out on the days − 2 (2 days before takeoff), 18, 36 and 54 (4 days after return) in order to examine the influences of a long hike on the attention. The results showed clearly positive changes on the focussing of attention during the hike. The participants showed a significant (p = 0,012) improvement in controlling the attention on the present. The small patient number and the missing control group permit only a limited conclusion of the study. Besides, this study is probably the first study, which observed the influence of physical activities with cancer patients in aftercare on the attention. Nevertheless, the results give cause for motivation to let further studies follow on this new field of activity.