Facials and cancer?

[kimi1101]

Hi,

My mum-in-law has cancer, and a client of mine says people with cancer shouldn't get facials.

can someone tell me why this is? She loves getting them done and don't wanna ahve to tell her she can't get them done.

What about massages?

 

[Miss Star]

Facial massage should be avoided with Cancer patients. Massage particular is a no I'm affraid.

The only treatments you can give are manicures and pedicures, again without the massage. Also no abrassive scrubs or cutting as patients with cancer, those especially having treatment, the skin is very thin. Almost paper like and with added pressure for massage can bruise easily.

Treatments are only allowed once the patient has had medical clearence.

 

[kimi1101]

Shes been going to macmillan nurse arranged drop in sessions and they have been doing massages for cancer patients?

 

[lilly]

My ex mother in law ahd massages when she had breast cancer ?, If I remember right they thought it was a good idea for relaxation ?

 

[Miss Star]

All I know is that through my insurance with The Guild I am not allowed to massage cancer patients who are having treatment with Chemo or Radiotherapy. Also not until the patient has had medical clearance.

My friend has breast cancer and she is not permitted to having any treatments done. She can only have basic manicures with no massage, scrubs or cutting involved.

Here is a link you may find useful.
http://www.beautyguild.com/_download/Contra indications to body massage.doc

 

[kimi1101]

I've heard that people cant get massage esp done before but not facials, til this woman said. and its made me wonder cos whya re macmillan nurses offering massages if it shouldnt be done? everyone should be well educated on this. xx

 

[tingle]

I have a client who has whole body massage on recommendation from her consultant. She had a letter from him saying that she could have them and that they would be beneficial.

It is only because of the letter though that i would do any treatment that involved massage on her just to be on the safe side.

If she did not have the letter then I wouldnt have done so purely for insurance reasons and also so that I know I am not going to hurt her.

They really help and she also has them at the hospice. I also give her a facial including massage but only because she has this letter explicitly saying she can have massage.

Maybe your lady could get her consultant/doctor to write her one so you are covered.

 

[kimi1101]

I appreciate all advice. Will get her to talk to her doctor asap.

Just think it is a shame that not everyone has the proper education about this. xx

 

[kimi1101]

spread the cancer??? this is a bit more serious thenbruising the skin (not that im not concerned about) does anyone have any more information on this??x

 

[tingle]

The hospital my lady goes to actually offer massage as a therapy to her as part of her treatment. Surely if it spread the cancer the consultant would not have advised her to have it. It is a well known hospital in London.

 

[kimi1101]

I just read on cancer research uk website that no evidence has been found to prove that massage can cause cancer to spread. got me worried. from what ive read on here etc i will get her to talk to her doctor and get a letter. thanks xx

 

[Miss Star]

Why not get in touch with your insurance? They will be able to tell you what you can and cannot do.

Also a letter from a doctor or consultant giving permission for the treatment to go a head.

 

[Angellcake]

If this is your mother in law then I don't see why you can't give her a facial. I don't mean to pry but is she terminal? If she is then a facial will be pampering and relaxing for her, what a treat for her, she deserves it! Macmillan nurses and the nurses in the hospice are all trained in palliative care and give hand, foot and head massages for terminally ill patients.

However the other girls are right your insurance won't cover you and I personally wouldn't give a full body massage to a client without their doctors permission.

But this is your mother in law....

 

[Martin Duffy]

Personally I am of the opinion that it is highly unlikely that massage spreads cancer, especially based on the complete lack of evidence to support this claim. However, as with all things it is best to play it safe & get a doctor's note. That said, many doctors seem to be reticent to give the go ahead "just in case".

 

[joe90]

Have removed original answer as this was confusing and apologies as I didn't make it clear. The lymphatic system helps the immune system to remove waste, toxins and cancer cells. When this system is compromised there is an inability for the lymphatic system to remove these cancerous cells.

Hope this is clearer now. However, unless I had received the ok from the patient's consultant I still wouldn't massage

 

[sxi_beautician]

Because there is no proof that massage spreads cancer i think that is a strong enough reason to completely avoid it on cancer patients as we dont know of we are spreading it or not !!! Facials are fine on cancer patients as long as ther is no massage involved, very light movements on the face with the cream will be fine and no harsh scrubs, im sure your mother in law would benefit from the relaxation instead of making her unhappy and stopping them.

 

[pure]

I think the advice will vary hugely depending on the patient, the location of the cancer, the stage and various other things.

I have several cancer patients and will only perform treatments with the consent of their consultant or their specialist cancer nurse.

Many treatments will have huge benefits for most clients, but there will always be the exception.

My mum had throat cancer and any facial was a no-no for about a year. She can now have them but I'm not allowed to do any massage other than a light pressure point on her face, and this instruction is from her onchologist.

Her care team will be used to answering theswe types of questions, thats what they are there for, so get her to ask amd check that a facial would be ok.

 

[Martin Duffy]

In speaking to medical practitioners over the last few years it seems the idea that massage spreads cancer is generally thought of as a myth. It used to be the notion that as massage increased circulation, blood & lymphatic, it would therefore spread cancerous cells. However, exercise & exposure to heat etc also do this to a far greater extent, yet are recommended due to the positive effect they have.

 

[kezza*]

I remember being told that you can't massage people with cancer but things change all the time, having cancer is a stressful time as it is, having a massage will help withe the stress and tension. Nurses and doctors are the professional's on this, ask her doctor and get a letter in writing. I would have thought she could have a facial but without the massage as surely she can still cleanse, tone and moisturer her skin, surely that would be something the doctor would have mentioned to her.
I think some people are scared of people with cancer, maybe the woman that said you can't have a fcaial went to a salon for a facial and was told she couldn't have one, without the salon looking in to it.
Because massage is stimulating i would have thought aswell that it depends on the area that is affected. Deffo best to talk to the doctors, professional's wouldn't be doing massage if it wasn't ok.

 

[Joanna W]

If this is the case then you better not even move out of your chair, cos movement even having a bath helps the lymph move around the body.

I volunteer at a hospice and I offer Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Massage. Give your M-I-L the facial, it's not just about having nice skin, but the therapeutic touch Yes check with your insurance, I'm with FHT and have medical malpractice insurance but then I work with drug and alcohol abusers too. I am also covered under the hospices insurance, but I still needed my own to prove to them.

P.S If anyone is worried about it, read Patricia McNamara, Massage for People with Cancer, very interesting.