Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

You could try MLD (manual lymph drainage), which is an extremely gentle treatment and profoundly relaxing. [link= http://www.mlduk.org.uk ]www.mlduk.org.uk[/link] has a list of therapists.

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

Thanks Jabba - I'll definately have a look at this.
Mandy

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

I am sorry to hear about your friend. I would not recommend any form of Lymphatic drainage massage. The lymphatic system could carry the cancer to other parts of the body. I would be very careful. As your friends consultant has said that gentle massage is okay I would stay with what he recommends. Hope this helps.

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

Do some research on the raindrop technique with essential oils.

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

With respect to the 'specialist' I am astonished that any kind of massage, directly out of his/her control, should be advocated... The Lymph system is the medium of spread of cancer cells and there is no way that a massage can be 100% ceratin not to contaijn some lymph massage elements. It only takes one cancer cell to be migrated.

There is another thread some where that deals with massage in cancer patients, I should look at it..

There is a deal of difference in the hands on gentle touch and feel of the therapeutic comforting stroke, and the pumping action of the deep tissue massage.

Leo

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

Just to clarify something here.I hope I haven't misunderstood Leo's last paragraph - Lymphatic Drainage Technique is NOT deep tissue massage. It is an extremely light form of gentle massage which operates at skin level.

All sorts of everyday activities have an effect on the movement in the lymphatic system such as walking, washing - in fact movement generally, whilst massage can speed the system up - it will be moving in any event.

LOL

FBx

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

I believe there must be an excellent reason why colleges and universities do not advocate any kind of massage if someone is being TREATED for cancer.

The treatment stage is the vital part, as the cancer cells can be spread around the body.

After treatment most therapies are recommended.

No smoke without fire of some kind[:-]

Gxxx

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

Hi All

I have been away at CAMExpo show so apologies for my delay in commenting.

I have read a number of articles/books and can see this arguement from both sides. The academy which I trained at taught me that this was completely contraindicated and my first reaction was of course to say that this would not be possible.

However, my friend is seeing an NHS consultant and her family were told that as long as the massage was very gentle withno deep tissue, no lymphatic drainage and no massage on the areas where surgery has been performed etc - that this would not have any adverse reactions on her treatment/cancer and would in all honestly probably help rather than hinder the situation (i.e gently assisting with the elimination of toxins due to chemo).

Salvatore Battaglia in his book, looks at the use of massage for healthcare workers and seems to provide quite a rational arguement in favour of massage for people who are living with cancer.

Personally (having worked within the healthcare sector in the past)I would not consider massaging anyone with any medical condition until I am fully confident. This means being in touch with her consultant and also waiting to see how she responds to treatment.

My question was really to people who have had experiences in this situationrather than whether or not I should proceed.

Thank you for all your comments though, they are much appreciated.

Mandy

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

Hi Mandyp sorry t ohear of your freinds cancer problem i see she has been given a 50/50 chance and you wantto know can you masage her i have read some of the anwser to you but from my own exprience with Non Hogskins Ltmphomai Cancer with as much a 5% survial rate 10 year ago I had aromatherapy massage very light I am a bodyworker now studying for a degree in therapeutic bodywork and sicene base i would recomend very light massage say on the hands and feet and would dare to say you would be helping your friend dont be put off by the colleges that say massage is contraindicated most of them are to frighten to deal woth thingd they do not undrstand and so play for saftey help your friend by givine her what she wants it wont do any harm but might make a deal of differnce to the way she feels with some one giving her the attention she needs. Lionheart. help some one today and some will help you tommor.

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

Hi Mandy,

I do volunteer work for a local cancer charity and I do light massages on pre & post cancer breast ops. The hospital risk assess all the complimentary therapies, aromatherapy, reflexology, IHM and reiki are offered as well. I come from a family background with high incidence of cancer & speaking personally for myself, when my mother had cancer I would have been pleased if someone had offered her this treat, which is why I do it now.

There are "rules" to follow with cancer, such as not over areas that have had treatment, not directly over the site of the cancer, but you can still touch those areas that are unaffected.

Hope this helps

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

I give reflexology treatments to people who are about to have chemotherapy, in fact that's how I first got to have reflexology myself. The oncologists and patients give their permission for treatment to go ahead, and new patients are informed of the service by the oncology nurses. To my knowledge nobody has been told they should not have a treatment.

Re moving cells around the body, isn't the circulation of blood and lymph going to do this anyway as we go about our daily lives?

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

My understanding of lymph is that just by moving your muscles at all, you move the lymph, so in order not to run a risk of cancerous cells moving, you would have to lie very still for a long time!!!!
At the Bristol Cancer Help Centre massage is on offer for people, amongst shiatsu and other therapies, and they run courses for massage therapists treating people with cancer.I am aware through my own research that thereare conflicting opinions about it, and you will find many different ideas, in fact for every 'fact' there will be an opposing one.Such is life!

My feeling is that therapists are (hopefully) coming from a clear intention to stimulate the body's inherent healing abilities, and intention is very powerful.
It is the same with shiatsu, and other modalities, and whilst care should always be taken around sensitive areas in the body and surgical scars, I personally agree that toxins can be more easily released from stuck areas, andreleased from thebody. In addition to this, what people dealing with cancer need is care, touch, support and human warmth, love indeed.What they don't need is a hands- off -don't- touch approach surely. Ialso wonderif a lot of the warnings given are indeed fear based, and somewhat archaic in origins.I passionately believe in the body's own ability to heal, and in the therapists ability to support and enhance that healing.
Love Deelightful

RE: Stage 3 Breast Cancer & Massage

I have worked with cancer patients at a hospice in north london for approximately 4 years - I have come to the conclusion that provided the patient is in agreement and her consultant too aromatherapy massage or a light massage can be very helpful - it is good to have specific training though in giving massage to cancer patients and to have an understanding of the condition. I too was told not to treat cancer patients and other patients with serious medical conditions - but I personally find it strange to say the least that you can only treat the healthy and not the sick. There is no documented evidence to support the claim that massage causescancer to metastatise. If that was the case then as the previous post (deelighted) stated then any muscular movement would be forbidden - including washing. There is a lot of misinformation around. My conclusion is that massage is good for the immune system and well being of the client/patient and is strengthening and supportive. Massage is now quite readily available for cancer patients in most of the hospitals and hospices. From how my patients responded they were very thankful to receive a caring touch therapy.

Luv Binah

Breast Cancer Stage 3

Hey quiet good resembles of asking the same question I had this question in mind from couple of days. Jenny is 35 years old battling with [url]Breast Cancer Stage 3[/url] but was asking if she can have massage, her right breast is completely circled with red rings along. So what can be prescribed in this case. I got few of the answers from this postings but need a perfect solutions to be given in this case.