Facial (or other spa treatment)?

TwinkleCat · July 2018

Hello everyone,

I am newly diagnosed -- still awaiting test results, and scheduled to meet with my doctors on 8/1. But I wanted to reach out to the community and ask about spa treatments...

My bestie wanted to treat me to a facial yesterday, but was told by the spa that they can't provide services to people with cancer. Something about circulation and lymph fluid, and that it's dangerous for people with cancer to get facials.

This sounds like pseudo-science to me. Curious whether others had been told something similar?

Truth is, I could take or leave a facial -- but I love massages.... and I really hope there's not a valid reason not to get them...

Thanks!

Georgia1 · July 2018

Wow, I've never heard that. Sounds weird. And except for the temporary pain after surgery or radiation I don't know why you couldn't enjoy a massage!

Brightness456 · July 2018

Are they implying that the lymph fluid will carry the cancer out into other parts of the face or body? I’ve never heard that, but who knows. I will follow to see if anyone knows about this. Thanks for bringing it up.

Lula73 · July 2018

yeah, they tend to freak when you say cancer. There is truth to the lymph fluid drainage issue. When they remove any of your lymph nodes during surgery it can adversely affect the lymph drainage and cause lymphedema. It’s usually triggered by some type of trauma to the arm/shoulder that’s on same side of lymph node removal. Trauma can be as simple as bumping your arm, blood pressure taken in that arm, blood draw/shot in that arm, etc. after surgery you’ll receive all the instructions. When you get a massage you’ll want to find someone trained in lymphatic massage or lymphedema. This is training over and above typical massage certification. There’s a particular way to do it that makes it safe.

There’s also an issue for about 4 months after surgery with risk of blood clots. Massage can make clots break free if the vessel wall and cause a blockage elsewhere in your body that can result in heart attack, stroke, respiratory arrest, etc. Very significant danger with massage too soon after surgery.

Facials are fine (anything above the shoulder is fine). After surgery of any kind, spa liability insurance will dictate when you can resume massage - usually 6 months to a year. Until you’ve had your surgery, i personally wouldn’t even mention the cancer. The way i look at it is you’ve had that cancer for awhile and you were getting massages so the knowledge of the cancer is the only difference. You’re still pre-op so no difference in blood clot or lymphatic drainage risk. Just my $0.02.

TwinkleCat · July 2018

Thanks! I've done some digging around, and from what I've read, it sounds like concerns that massage/facials might make cancer spread are pretty outdated -- but that they persist. I'll certainly ask my doctors about it on Weds, but was curious as to whether anyone else had encountered this.

Georgia1 · July 2018

Lula makes some very good points. Facials seem fine for the reasons she outlines, and lymphedema risk will depend on how many lymph nodes you have removed and your own personal biology. But a good question to ask your doctor after surgery. Best of luck with everything.

Goincrzy8 · July 2018

I get massages once a month and have before and after surgery (left mastectomy) I asked surgeon about massage and he said as long as I could lay on my stomach with no issues, he saw no problems. I had 13 nodes removed and my therapist is licensed for lymphatic massage. We waited almost a year after surgery and other treatments to try that. I had no lymphedia at all in the beginning or now. Massage has nothing to do with cancer spreading is what I was told. Treat yourself during this process as it is a process and takes a toll on you mentally and physically.

ctmbsikia · July 2018

I was just in Saratoga Springs NY and did both a massage and a facial. I was advised against the mineral bath by both the spa and my RO though. ThumbsDown

I also went in the sauna and experienced no issues what so ever being a little over 2 months out of radiation.

LoriCA · August 2018

You might want to check with your local hospitals and wellness centers. The Women's Wellness Center at my hospital offers oncology facials and massages (including aromatherapy), and they are much cheaper than pricey SoCal salons. The therapists are certified in oncology massage and aromatherapy. They also have certified oncology estheticians to help with skin problems. As a nice bonus, caregivers can also get facials and massages at the same price.

Oncology massage therapists have additional training in:

Metastasis overview and surgical procedures
Chemotherapy side effects and radiation
Lymphedema (lymphatic obstruction) risks
Client-centered massage sessions
Contraindications of massage
Assessing the massage site, pressure, and positioning

Sara536 · August 2018

Where I go for medical massage there is no tipping expected. I double and triple checked on that.

TwinkleCat · August 2018

Thanks, LoriCA! I'll look into what is available here. I definitely want to make sure I go somewhere that knows what they're doing (and certainly don't want to show up for an appointment and then have them refuse to see me! How awful!

And FWIW, I told my surgeon about it when I saw him this week. I told him I thought it sounded like pseudo-science -- he said he wouldn't even call it pseudo-science! He was excited that my BFF wanted to treat me to a facial!

Leatherette · August 2018

This sounds crazy, especially because you haven’t started treatments yet. It may be bad after surgery and/or chemo.

I got a massage in May after having chemo end in the previous Nov. and tissue expander placed in Feb., and I have to say, I was super dizzy after, and it took a while to recover from the daze. I don’t know why it happened, but it had never happened before.

I hope you get your facial before treatments start!

Facial (or other spa treatment)?

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