Massage & Cancer

by Alison Bodah Burney, LMT, NCTMB
Licensed Massage Therapist

Being diagnosed with cancer is the beginning of what can be a long, overwhelming and frightening journey for patients. Traveling to new medical facilities, engaging with more doctors and trying to absorb a host of new information is mentally stressful. Experiencing medical testing, treatment, and the side effects of treatment is physically taxing. For patients, and for their caregivers, the cancer experience is likely one of the most stressful events of their lives.

Massage can’t cure cancer. Massage can’t prevent cancer. Massage can help patients and their families deal with the stress and anxiety associated with cancer. We have lots of research and anecdotal evidence showing that massage is effective in decreasing feelings of stress and anxiety and promoting feelings of relaxation and well being.

While research involving oncology massage is still in its early stages, there have been many small studies conducted. The strongest results so far are for the reduction of anxiety. There are also positive reports on the effectiveness of massage for the relief of the other four most common symptoms associated with cancer- pain, nausea, fatigue and depression. There is also research supporting the idea that as massage reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the body, it helps strengthen the immune system through increased production of natural killer-T cells.

While research is valuable, I find that the stories of people who have experienced massage during cancer treatment to be just as important. People talk about massage as a respite during treatment, an important part in helping them reconnect with their bodies, a way to help create a more positive body image for themselves, as something to look forward to, and as the only time during treatment when being touched isn’t associated with pain.

While massage can be a positive and restorative part of the cancer experience, it’s important that it is conducted in a safe way. There can be may contraindications based on cancer type, treatment type, medications, and other factors involving the individual patient. It’s important to find a therapist who has had training in oncology massage, to fill out medical intake forms for your therapist as completely as possible and to receive clearance from your oncologist to receive massage. Your therapist can help you communicate with and get clearance from your physician if you that is something you need.

Going to a relaxing space and having a qualified massage therapist provide massage is wonderful. It may be important for patients to be treated by a person that they do not have to be strong for. It may be difficult, however, for patients to receive massage as often as they would like due to schedules or finances. The National Cancer Institute has recently supported the development of DVD teaching caregivers how to give a massage, safely and effectively, at home. Research involving the DVD program has been done with the results showing a decrease in anxiety, pain, fatigue, depression and nausea for the person experiencing cancer and an increase in confidence and comfort for the caregiver giving the massage. For more information about Touch, Caring & Cancer Simple Instruction for Family and Friends, visit www.partersinhealing.net/dvd.

Whether from a trained massage professional or an educated caregiver, massage can help relieve symptoms and has the potential to help people experiencing cancer to feel supported, cared for and whole.