Refused a massage because I had cancer

[MinnieMountain]

I tried to book a massage at a new place yesterday but when I filled in their medical form and said I had cancer 8 years ago, they said they can't do it without a doctor's letter. Supposedly their insurance doesn't cover it as massage can cause any remaining cancer cells to grow again.

I'm astounded at their ignorance.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I think just about every massage therapist will have to have specialised cancer training in the future as 1 in 3 will get cancer during their lifetime. Or else the profession will just die out if they can’t get insurance!

I would only disclose illnesses I was currently suffering from. Not ones I had 8 years ago.

OP doesn't have cancer

Yes I was refused a massage when I was getting treatment. I haven't come across it since but I guess they were being cautious. I can't see the problem.

Suddenly, everyone’s an expert this is rubbish

People WITH cancer.

Not people who HAD cancer.

Huge difference. Therefore, the website doesn’t apply to OP’s situation.

This nonsense will likely continue until people start taking legal action against massage therapists and/or their insurance companies under the Equality Act.

So, if they were prepared to do it with a doctors letter, why didn’t you just get one? I don’t understand. They didn’t say ‘no’, they said ‘yes but get a letter’.

I had a spa day at Champneys and they do a specialised oncology massage, it was the only treatment they would allow me to have while in active treatment.

I had cancer 20 years ago. It is absolutely ridiculous that I would need to go to my GP and pay for a letter where he confirms that something that affected me 20 years ago is no longer an issue.

I am surprised so many people have this issue. I have spa days regularly and go to my local masseuse too and it’s never been an issue.

I trained in massage many years ago and you are not allowed to work on clients who have cancer. I can't remember why as I haven't done it in years, but it's definitely a thing

There isn’t any - it’s utter nonsense. I’m recovering from breast cancer and specifically asked about massage as part of relaxation techniques. Straight from the consultant - this is a total myth. Cancer cells do not break off and travel to other parts of the body due to the pressure used in massage, and it’s considered a safe complementary therapy for people with cancer. I was referred for physio after radiotherapy and the therapist applied massage techniques to relieve cording and chest tightness from surgery, and even showed me how to apply these techniques at home.

There are recent studies showing that massage can help reduce symptoms related to cancer treatment, such as pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, and depression. The only recommendation from my consultant was if possible, to seek a specially trained oncology massage therapist who knows how to adapt techniques (lighter pressure etc) to a cancer patient’s needs, and to avoid deep pressure on any active tumour sites, recent surgery areas or any broken skin from radiation

Maybe then, but not now @Hammy19 There is absolutely no evidence to substantiate any claims that massage is in any way harmful to cancer patients, beyond care taken around recent surgery or radiation sites.

Because you have to pay for a GP letter, and it’s absolutely not necessary.

It’s ignorance because it’s not based on any scientific evidence - because there is none.

How would a lawyer prove that the massage caused the cancer to recur without a shred of scientific peer reviewed evidence ?

OP contact MacMillan services and ask if they can point you in the direction of a massage therapist trained in oncology techniques. There is not one shred of scientific evidence to prove that massage can cause cancer cells to spread. Cancer patients already face being financially disadvantaged - a GP letter incurs further cost, and is totally unnecessary.

It’s been years since I have actually posted anything on here.

As a massage therapist who is not trained to treat cancer patients, no matter when the cancer occurred, or where on their body, I would not treat anyone without a letter from their GP.

The therapist was correct and you either obtain the letter from your GP or find someone who is appropriately trained. A good massage will help drain lymph and may have the effect of transferring cancerous cells around the body, it is not a risk worth taking.

A good massage will help drain lymph and may have the effect of transferring cancerous cells around the body, it is not a risk worth taking.

No, it doesn’t. Straight from my oncology consultant - this is a myth that was debunked some time ago. There is absolutely nothing to scientifically support the theory. The only difference between oncology trained and standard treatment is that an oncology trained therapist will know to how to manage recent surgery and other treatment sites and to avoid deep pressure.

That doesn't matter. If a policy says you're not covered for something and you go ahead, you are not insured. If someone then sues you, you have to deal with the financial consequences and stress yourself. And most people cannot afford that, so are not going to take the risk.

Removed comment as I didn’t read properly before posting puts herself in MN jail

I am a massage therapist and I am trained in oncology massage. I would potentially use different techniques etc. However I am aware its more of a money making (training companies) arse covering (insurance companies) than really necessary. Its the same with pregnancy massage there are a few techniques that help the client feel more comfortable but a massage will do no harm.
I am not insured if I work outside of my training so wouldn't ever do anything that left me open to any claim, even if as said the claim ultimately wouldn't be held up, it would be very stressful and potentially damage my reputation, it just wouldn't be worth it.

Ignore me - I’m very sleep deprived. You’re entirely right! It’s talking about people with cancer not those that have had it in the past 🤦‍♀️

Would you want to be the massage therapist receiving the complaint from a cancer patient whose cancer had returned following a massage? Medically correct, or probably not, this would be very difficult.
Accurate or not, the view exists with some people that massage can increase risk of cancer moving/recurring/or whatever. I wouldn’t want the stress of a lawyer even contacting me if my training and insurance has advised me not to proceed.
These days people can just put all kinds of crap online, or “review “ people. I’d be covering my back, my reputation and my business.

I am an Oncology trained Sports Massage Therapist.

If you are currently undergoing or have recently undergone Chemo/Radiotherapy, surgery or actively have cancer then you will need to see someone Oncology trained. This is so that the massage treatment is adapted appropriately to your current condition - skin can be thinner, radiation burns etc.

If you are in remission, have not had cancer for many years then you can have a massage!

There used to be this theory that massage moved cancer cells from your lymph nodes into the rest of your body. This has been debunked! If you have cancer cells in your lymph system they are going to move around your body anyway, massage will not make it any worse. If this were true then anyone who's ever had cancer would be told not to rub their skin when they shower, or dry themselves off, or even move their body at all as this transports the lymph around your body anyway.

I hope this helps.