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 am a massage therapist and it's true my insurance would not allow me to massage you, if you had disclosed you have had cancer.

This is not ignorance. It is the correct advice and is following guidance which is to safeguard patients.
Im sorry that you've gone through that and that you're so cross but i imagine if they took the risk and knowingly did something that caused spread of a potential cancer, you'd be more than a little put out

My daughter was told a few months ago by her oncologist not to have a massage after being given a gift voucher but didn’t say how long it would be before she could have one. Best to be safe than sorry though.

I’ve worked in complementary therapy for over 20 years within oncology and palliative care and this is one of the biggest myths I come across.
Massage does not spread cancer. Cancer cells are moved around the body via the lymphatic and blood systems naturally anyway. Your lymph fluid is constantly moving through normal everyday life — breathing, walking, stretching, showering, even changing position in bed all move lymph fluid. If it was as simple as “movement spreads cancer”, people would have to lie completely still forever, which obviously isn’t reality.

Can you share the exact wording from your policy please?

(Just to see how they word it)

This was debunked ages ago. Sometimes deep massage isnt advised if you have a low platelet count brcause it might cause bruising or if you are at risk of fractures from bone metastasis but it doesnt cause cancer cells to grow. Just dont tell them next time.

Unless they are refusing to provide a massage on the grounds of some characteristic protected under the Equality Act, they are legally entitled to choose who they will - or will not - provide a service to

[Edit - are you claiming that having had cancer but now being cancer free means you have a disability?]

When I was on infusion-chemo on a day ward, a masseuse from the big cancer hospital was going round giving patients a foot massage while they were hooked up, lovely! . I've since been for a couple of foot massages in local clinics and it's never been an issue. I wanted to try acupuncture for neuropathy and xerostomia ( dry mouth) cause by the maintenence drugs I take. I checked first with my oncologist and she said it was fine as long as I kept an eye on the needle sites for any redness.

I was told by the Royal Marsden that only people qualified in cancer massage should do them for me. I never thought to ask if that persisted beyond treatment, or why - frankly I was so overwhelmed with all the other issues and warnings that I just took that one and complied with it. I'd be interested to know why, now.

They are just taking safety precautions seriously. I don’t think this is a bad thing

I took a look at this, and it's basically the most diplomatic description of alternative therapies I've seen.

Yes, you shouldn't massage a place where you are currently having treatment or a tumor. Of course. It's really all common sense they've suggested here. There is no reason for a blanket ban.

That's terrible I am so sorry

Insurance deals with things slightly differently, otherwise their business would stop existing overnight.

I’m stunned by all these responses. This is just all pseudoscientific nonsense. I guess a lot of the therapy industry is based on that so it isn’t surprising.

This probably isn't the time or place so apologies. But this reminds me of when I had a facial at a spa and the therapist was earnestly telling me it worked because it had oxygen in it.

Yes they are ignorant. I have cancer and tell no one in these situations.

is “probably” good enough for a massage therapist who isn’t an oncologist or medical professional? She hasn’t refused, she’s asked for a doctors letter. That sounds very professional to me. Protecting herself and you.

when a close relative had cancer she had complementary therapy through a cancer related organisation, they said no to any deep tissue massage which might move lymph fluid around. I don’t know what the time limit on that rule is, but presumably it is for a doctor to decide when it’s safe to do.

It doesn’t say that at all. It says there’s no evidence

Think an oncologist would not thank you for bothering them with this 8 years post diagnosis

But it's not "just a rub down". Tell me you're not qualified, without telling me 🤣🤣
And if you don't disclose, it's risking both their business and potentially your own health if something goes wrong. Why do that?!

I’m fascinated by the number of people on this thread who are confidently incorrect about how cancer works (science doesn’t even know a whole lot about it!) and apparently believe that unless you have a massage, nothing moves around 😂

Whats going to go wrong?

How would it affect their business exactly, talk us through it

It's not the therapist's fault if that's what their training and/or insurance company says. They are behaving responsibly and not acting outside of their skills and knowledge. I find it really odd that some of you think the therapist is being discriminatory.

I'm a self-employed therapist. My insurance says I must not treat people with X Y or Z conditions. I'm absolutely not going to treat them without insurance. Why on earth would I?

With some types and locations of tumours, massage can cause metastasis (pieces to come away and settle elsewhere, potentially causing a secondary tumour).

They are absolutely right to protect you in this way.

Speak to your doctor and ask for a letter, if they think it's ok.

I had exactly the same response when I tried to book a massage and reflexology when in remission from cancer (which I also had 8 years ago, incidentally). I was upset and so totally understand your dismay. I think it’s a blanket thing with some places that is not properly evidence based- certainly for people with NED and probably for people with active cancer. I don’t think there’s a lot to be done about it, but I hope you find someone fabulous who will massage you, as once I did I found it one of the best things for relaxation, stress reduction and better sleep… which I’m sure helped my ongoing recovery. Best wishes x

She doesn’t have any tumours though…

Also don’t you think it’s a bit patronising to explain metastasis to a cancer survivor?