Help Explaining What We Do.
Proper training is essential for massage therapists who work with people with a history if cancer. This PowerPoint presentation from S4OM explains the benefits of oncology massage, the need for proper therapist training and the core principles of that training. Use it for presentations to hospital representatives, physicians and their staffs, other therapists, patient groups and for the general public. Also available in pdf format. (Members Only)
Why Hospice?
Health care practitioners in general and physicians in particular often do
not understand the logic of hospice care. In this remarkable article
from The New Yorker a surgeon explains what he has learned about hospice.
The article, at 12,000 words, is not your typical webpage - but, it is well
worth the time. [Click
here for an interview with the author on NPR's Fresh Air.]
Radiation Fibrosis and the Risk of Lymphedema
Cancer patients who have had radiation are at life-long increased risk of lymphedema . There is evidence that the risk often increases, not declines, as the years go by. The page concludes. "When receiving massage, patient/clients can reduce the risk of precipitating lymphedema by seeing massage therapists who are trained to make the necessary adjustments for a lymphatic system damaged by radiation."
Massage
Mind
"How do I explain to people what happens on my massage table?" Here is one
therapist's answer to this common question.
Common Rashes
Occasionally a client may present with a serious skin condition. Massage therapists do not diagnose - however, for the client's safety (and our own) we refer the client to a physician if we suspect a problem. This Medscape slideshow illustrates several common serious rashes. (You will need to register for Medscape. There is no cost.)
Screening Tool for Cancer Stress
According to the Wall Street Journal. "While virtually all cancer patients
experience some level of distress; the anxiety, depression and fear can
reach a point where it affects a person's daily life.......Distress is an
umbrella term doctors use to describe a range of responses, from fear to
depression to spiritual crisis.......Distress is particularly acute among
cancer patients. A study by researchers affiliated with Johns Hopkins
University estimated that more than one-third of cancer patients experience
significant levels of distress that require some kind of help—but only 5% of
those ever get it."
Massage therapists should be alert for the signs of distress and
encourage distressed clients to seek appropriate help from their
physician, nurse, social worker or clergy. The National Comprehensive
Cancer Network has devised this screening tool for evaluating distress.
They recommend professional help for any patient rating their distress at 5
or more.
Massage, Moles and Melanoma - Of ABC's and Ugly Ducklings
Most cancer patients are at permanent risk for secondary malignancies. Because we regularly see our client's most-at-risk areas, we are in a position to flag suspicious moles for subsequent medical examination. This how-to may save a client's life.
Lymphedema
Primer
The basics of identification and management for clinicians
from the American Cancer Society. Oncology massage therapists should
understand the signs, symptoms and risk factors associated with lymphedema.
You may find this article to be slow going as it is jam packed with good
information.
Media Relations Guide
Most oncology massage therapists need to deal with the media at one time or another, whether opening a practice, completing training in a new sub-specialty, or promoting a new hospital cancer massage program. This media relations guide by S4OM member and media expert Jean VanEtten explains the ABC's.
Axillary Web Syndrome/Cording
Many of us have seen this condition in breast cancer patients who have had axillary nodal disection. It looks like cords, stretched tight under
the skin, sometimes reaching from the axilla to the hand. Each cord is
a sclerotized lymphatic - which apparently is not always as benign as many
doctors assume. Read about it and its treatment in this nicely
illustrated article.
For Members Only - Elisabeth Josenhans, the German physiotherapist
who wrote the article above has kindly made her complete paper "Physiotherapeutic treatment for axillary cord formation following breast
cancer surgery" available here in
English . She also has made two hands-on session videos available
here and here.
Reducing the Risk of Lymphedema During and After Breast Cancer Treatment
Many breast cancer patients do not hear or remember what they made have been told about lymphedema. Oncology massage therapists can play an important role in following up to be sure patients process the information. This article tells you and them what to watch for.
To BSE or
Not to BSE? - That is the question.
Much is made in the media about breast self-exams (BSE) not being
cost-effective/necessary/desirable. Our breast cancer clients are
generally of a different opinion. At the American Society of
Breast Surgeons 2009 meeting a report concluded , "Breast self-examination (BSE)
is as accurate as mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at
detecting new breast cancers in high-risk women." This issue is of
particular interest to oncology massage therapists and our clients.
Manual breast exams can only be done so fast.
Your dentist recommends you spend 2 minutes a day brushing your teeth. Does your physician take that long to do a thorough annual breast exam? Check out this thought-provoking video.
Do I need to glove for my own safety
when massaging someone who is receiving or has recently received
chemotherapy?
Here is a way to think about this vexing issue.
What is oncology massage like for the therapist?
An elegant answer to this frequently asked question from our own Tracy Walton.
S4OM Oncology Massage Intake Form
pdf
or doc
{Members Only}
In addition to your usual health history, we recommended that your oncology
client complete this form, or an equivalent, before the first session.
It contains the minimum set of information you need to tailor your massage for
that client's safety. Please feel free to expand it to suit your
practice.
Standards of Practice for General Massage
Principle general massage standards organizations in English speaking countries:
NCBTMB (United States)
AMTA (United States)
ABMP (United States)
AAMT (Australia)
CMTO (Canada)
GCMT (U.K.)
S4OM Standards of Practice for Oncology Massage
S4OM Standards of Practice
(amended 6/2/08)
Chemocare.Com
This site is a comprehensive chemotherapy resource for patients and massage therapists. Topics include descriptions of nearly all drugs in use today, managing side effects and eating well during therapy. Olympic skater and cancer survivor Scott Hamilton recognized a great need and filled it with this site.
A Very Public
Spokesperson for Oncology Massage
Tracy Walton writes eloquently about oncology massage in her periodic column
for Massage Today.
