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Treatments that are suitable if you have cancer
If you're undergoing treatment for cancer, or you've recently completed treatment, you may have been told to relax, or to try some complementary therapies. You'll be glad to hear that there are some spa therapies that could be perfect for you, too, whether you're having treatment or to help your recovery.
Which treatments to choose
What does the research say?
Spa do's and don'ts...
References
Which treatments to choose
We spoke with a senior cancer nurse, Jean Slocombe from Cancer UK, to get an expert view on which spa treatments you might like to consider.
"Firstly," says Jean, "although there has been some research in this area, it hasn't been widely researched. So, with that in mind, there are very fews 'Don'ts' when it comes to spa-ing and cancer.
"Complementary therapies can help you feel in control during and after cancer treatment. You may benefit from feeling like you're being proactive and doing something for yourself. There has been some research that suggests that aromatherapy can be helpful. Aromatherapy may help with relieving depression, lessening anxiety, and relieving symptoms of nausea, too.
"A feel-good massage can only be a good thing, so long as you avoid the area that has cancer. For instance, if you have a brain tumour, don't have a head massage, try a foot massage instead. Facials, unless you have a brain tumour, are a good idea, too -- anything that has a feel-good factor, rather than an aggressive 'results' facial.
"Finally, talk to your hospital team; many treatment centres have support groups which offer complementary treatments and in-house therapists, such as reflexologists, who have experience dealing with cancer patients. Although there isn't much scientific evidence to suggest that spa treatments can help, it's true that people do seem to feel better after an uplifting treatment, and it can help improve your state of mind."
What does the research say?
Most studies into aromatherapy and its potential benefits have been so far been small and don’t provide enough evidence to come to any conclusions. (1)
"It used to be thought," says Jean, "that massage could spread cancer through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. However, there is no evidence to suggest that this is the case -- although there hasn't been any proof against this either. The same applies to heat therapies, such as a steam room, or sauna. It was thought that stimulating the blood flow could encourage cancer to spread but there really hasn't been enough research to know if this is the case or not. What is certain is that you could be weak from treatment and heat treatments could make you dizzy."
Spa do's and don'ts...
* Always consult your cancer doctor or nurse before you have any treatments. Make sure that you discuss your condition with the spa when you book an appointment and also when you see your therapist.
* If you're having radiotherapy, you cannot have any oil near your radiotherapy site. You need to be very careful what you put on your skin during the treatment and for several weeks afterwards.
* Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can lower your blood count; you could easily bruise or bleed. These therapies make you more prone to infection, as well, so don't have deep-tissue massage.
* If you have lymphoedema, completely avoid massage in that area of your body.
References
1 There is a good round-up of the research here.
See also:
* Cancer and complementary medicine
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