Client with cancer

[Lemmonie]

Hi all,

I have a male client who recently had skin cancer, recieved treatment and is all clear but there is now a concern it has spread (tests being done now)
He is coming to me for a manicure, is there anything i should be aware of/concerned about etc.
Please note there is no treatment being recieved presently.

thanks

 

[Deejay]

Hi, the main thing to be concerned about is the massage as Cancer is contra indicated for massage so leave this part out of the manicure service. You could contra indicate on the grounds of requiring GP permission or ask the client to sign off the treatment that he is happy to proceed. HTH

Deejay

 

[Lemmonie]

Do you know why its Contra-Indicated?

 

[Lemmonie]

Anyone else out there that can help?

 

[weezie]

It's always recommended to ask their doctors advise before hand as if the cancer is in the lymph or blood or the limb you massage or if they are taking certain meds then it can make them sicker. In most cases however massage can be very beneficial. It is for insurance purposes really as although it would be impossible to prove that you made it worse but without a doctors note you could be in trouble if they felt sicker after, they may have a case against you. :hug: Just tell him that all massage needs a doctors note for insurance. You can still gently apply some hand cream, but it is definitely advisable for him to wait for his results.

For reference "the highest risk correlation probably occurs with firm direct contact or other strong stimuli applied on or near a tumor, with greatest concern arising if the tumor is close to the skin surface. This risk is greatly offset by the likelihood that should cells be released by such means, their odds of survival are still extremely slim." from this article Could Massage Therapy Promote Cancer Metastasis Therefore it's unlikely but possible. Read the conclusion on the second page.

 

[RedAdmiral]

You can spread the cancer cells around by massaging so please leave that out. I also find that chemo (if he's had it) leaves the nails paper thin and very ridgy so dont buff only condition.
Keep the room at a nice temperature and if there's anything that they find annoying, not nice tell them to let you know. One of my clients who had radiation therapy didnt like the heat and got very flustered. not sure if that helps

 

[pure]

Cancer patients are normally allocated a specialist nurse who is available for them to contact when ever they need advice. If someone comes to me and is either actively having treatment, or has within the last 6 months, I always get them to give their nurse a call and just check that it's ok to go ahead. The cancer treatments can have such varying effects on different people we can not risk assuming that what we are going to do will be safe and appropriate for our clients.