This conference is intended for massage therapists and esthetics professionals for educational purposes only. Classes may cover a wide range of techniques, some of which may fall outside the legal scope of practice for certain attendees, depending on their individual training, certification, registration, licensure, and jurisdiction.  It is the sole responsibility of each participant to understand and comply with the scope of practice defined by their local licensing board or regulatory authority. Attendance in a class does not grant legal permission to perform the techniques taught.   By registering for and attending this conference, participants acknowledge and agree that the event organizers, instructors, sponsors, and venue are not liable for any injuries, legal actions, claims, damages, or losses resulting from the misuse or unauthorized application of techniques or information provided during the conference. Participants accept full responsibility for ensuring that any treatments, modalities, or tools learned are used safely, ethically, and within the bounds of their certification, registration, or professional license. 

The 2026 Oncology Massage & Esthetics Healing Virtual Summit brought together professionals from around the world to explore the latest in oncology-informed care.

Hosted by the Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) and the Society for Oncology Esthetics (S4OE), the summit opened with an introduction by Ericka Clinton, President of the Board of Directors, highlighting the growing impact of massage therapy and esthetic care in supporting patients throughout cancer treatment and survivorship.

This comprehensive day of learning was made possible through the generous support of Blue Beautifly, whose commitment to advancing education in oncology massage and esthetics is deeply appreciated.

👉 https://www.bluebeautifly.com/

Presentations explored:

• Collaboration, sustainability, and advocacy in oncology massage with Cara Thurman
• Head and neck cancer care and building clinical confidence with Holly McMillan
• Understanding the lymphatic system and strengthening clinical confidence with Nicola McGill
• Scar tissue, fibrosis, and rethinking traditional approaches with Catherine Ryan

Attendees gained valuable insight into best practices for supporting individuals living with cancer, including practical clinical adaptations, evidence-informed approaches, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Timestamps

0:00 – Summit Opening & Welcome
Ericka Clinton, S4OM/S4OE President

5:28 – Empowering Tomorrow: Mindful, Intentional Practice and Meaningful Collaboration
Cara Thurman, LMT – Vinney’s Massage & Wellness, Atlanta, GA
Cara shares her journey as both a cardiac patient and oncology massage therapist — building hospital-based programs, navigating the solo-practice trap, and making the case for sustainable, collaborative models of care that serve both patients and practitioners.

39:32 – Head & Neck Cancer 101
Holly McMillan, MS, CCC-SLP – MD Anderson Cancer Center
A comprehensive clinical overview covering head and neck cancer statistics, anatomy, HPV-related trends, staging, surgical procedures, radiation and systemic therapy side effects, and evidence-based manual therapy research including the MANTLE trial on radiation fibrosis-related dysphagia.

00:40:17 Head and Neck Cancer Stats
00:43:34 Anatomy and Key Subsites
00:49:43 Risk Factors and HPV
00:54:58 Treatment Overview and Evolution
01:00:36 Radiation Basics and Side Effects
01:10:37 Radiation Fibrosis Management

1:30:31 – Impact of Head & Neck Cancer Treatments on the Lymphatic System
Nicola McGill, CLT – Close Training
An in-depth look at how surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy disrupt lymphatic function in the head and neck, the difference between internal and external lymphedema, current updates in MLD approaches, and how massage therapists can safely support this patient population.

01:32:03 Lymphatic System Basics
01:36:10 Lymph Fluid and Flow
01:43:34 Watersheds and Head Neck Swelling
01:49:36 Cancer Overview and Risk Factors
02:03:37 How Cancer Disrupts Lymphatics
02:23:25 Massage and MLD Support

2:37:42 – Head & Neck Cancer: Fascia, Scars, Fibrosis & Lymph Stasis
Cathy Ryan, RMT – Heal Well
Explores the relationship between wound healing, scar formation, fibrosis, and lymph stasis — with ultrasound evidence showing how gentle manual therapy techniques can promote tissue patency, hydration, and improved blood and lymphatic flow.

02:38:30 Wound Healing Stages
02:40:29 Scars and Fibrosis Basics
02:45:33 Lymph Stasis Explained
02:46:59 Superficial Fascia Link
02:58:37 Manual Therapy for Stasis
03:09:14 Changing Mature Fibrosis

3:25:31 – Presence in the Body: The Role of Interoceptive Awareness for Health & Wellbeing
Cynthia J. Price, PhD, LMT – University of Washington / Center for Mindful Body Awareness
A research-based introduction to Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) — using touch, psychoeducation, and mindfulness to develop interoceptive awareness for improved emotional regulation and symptom management in cancer patients.

03:27:07 Interoception Basics
03:30:09 Research and Clinical Relevance
03:36:15 Benefits for Clients
03:37:32 MABT Method Overview
03:42:13 Guided Body Awareness Demo
04:14:54 Integrating Into Practice

4:19:19 – Q&A Panel
Moderated by MK Brennan (S4OM Past President) & Johnnette du Rand (S4OE Education Committee)
Topics: practitioner characteristics for oncology work, skincare safety during/after radiation, MLD for unilateral vs. bilateral radiation fields, carotid stenosis and stroke risk, chemo transfer precautions, supplements and fibrosis research, and building your interdisciplinary referral network.

04:19:22 Q&A Panel
04:29:53 Skincare, Aquaphor, SPF, and Barrier Protection
04:32:33 Stroke Risk, Radiation Fibrosis, and Private Practice Safety
04:36:12 MABT and Teenagers with Metastases
04:36:45 Infection Risk and Lymphatic Precautions
04:38:51 Lymph Vessel Regeneration After Radiation or Surgery
04:40:33 Grief Support When Working with Clients on Borrowed Time
04:45:22 Supporting Emotional Release During Sessions
04:47:16 Class Updates and Changes in Lymphatic Treatment
04:49:44 Lymphatic Massage Compared with Regular Massage
04:52:28 Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Head/Brain Cancer
04:54:11 MLD Pathways After Unilateral or Bilateral Radiation
04:57:00 Facial Safety for Estheticians
04:58:55 Chemotherapy, Radiation, and Therapist Safety
05:02:45 MD Anderson Integrative Oncology Symposium
05:04:26 Future Research in Oncology Massage
05:07:51 Supplements and Fibrosis Research
05:10:16 Referral Partners for Integrative Care

05:13:04 Closing with Ericka Clinton

Presentation Slides:

**Slides are available for select sessions. Some speakers are unable to share their slides due to copyrighted or licensed material.  We encourage you to refer to the session recordings for full access to all content.

• Understanding the lymphatic system and strengthening clinical confidence with Nicola McGill
• Mindful awareness and interoception in body-oriented therapies with Cynthia Price

Transcripts:

• English Transcript
• Spanish Transcript
• Italian Transcript

**For other language availability, please email us at operations@s4om.org

Post Summit Survey

Please complete the brief post-summit survey. We will use the information you provide to inform and direct our Summit Planning Committee on future virtual and live S4OM | S4OE events.