For most of us, a good massage from a sensitive, well-trained therapist is a boon and blessing. (No exaggeration.) I’m lucky enough to have found a massage angel in the next village and she makes a real difference to aches and pains, stress levels, sleep and general wellbeing. I lie there and literally ‘let go….’.

Those are benefits cancer patients could well do with but, as Macmillan Cancer Support says, ‘some people worry that massage could cause cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body’. Although research has not found any evidence of this, massage therapists working with cancer patients will avoid any areas affected by the disease, such as tumour sites or lymph nodes. For more information, see the information sheet here.

One thing that Macmillan emphasises is that the massage therapist must be properly trained and qualified to treat people with cancer. I heard recently that Irish spa and skincare brand VOYA is offering a new Cancer Wellness Training Programme for spa therapists.

‘We believe when someone has been touched by cancer they should be able to have the same deeply relaxing spa experience as anyone else,” said Mark Walton, managing director. ‘We want to help more people release stress and worry at a time when they’re dealing with physical and emotional stress, so our training centre has worked closely with leaders in cancer wellness and designed a programme to help spas integrate and suitably adapt all VOYA treatments.’

Each therapist will be educated on how to work with guests who are currently receiving chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy and immunotherapy treatments, as well as those in remission. You can find VOYA spas here. (There are other product houses, training academies and non-profit organisations that offer the same service.)

Gently stroking rich hand cream into hands and feet is something we can all do. It’s very soothing for the cancer patient and good for the dry skin that invariably accompanies treatment. It’s also, I’ve found, a lovely way to communicate TLC to ill friends who often don’t feel like talking but do enjoy company.

Prize Draws