Oncology
Massage
Compassionate Support Through Expertise
Oncology massage is a specialised form of massage therapy designed to support people affected by cancer. It helps manage symptoms related to cancer and its treatments, aiming to enhance quality of life through relaxation, pain relief, and reduced fatigue and anxiety.
Our advanced oncology-trained massage therapist, Angela, brings over 20 years of experience in therapeutic and lymphatic-based massage. She combines expert clinical knowledge with deep empathy to tailor each session to your individual needs, recognising that every cancer journey is unique and continually evolving.
Angela works collaboratively with you to build a personalised treatment plan founded on trust, respect, and open communication.
What to Expect in Your Session
Each session (approximately 60 minutes) is designed around your comfort and safety. Adjustments may include:
Massage Duration
Time is structured to understand your health background and tailor your treatment accordingly.
Pressure
Pressure is always guided by your comfort level and feedback. Angela carefully observes breathing, facial expression, and verbal cues, applying one of three gentle pressure levels (Walton, 2010):
- Light lotioning
- Heavy lotioning
- Medium pressure
Stroke Direction
Gentle “scoop up, scoop down, and move outward” techniques encourage healthy lymphatic and circulatory flow while avoiding affected lymph nodes, easing tension, and promoting relaxation.
Positioning
Treatments are performed with you comfortably supported, often face-up with pillows, to protect sensitive areas such as:
- Painful or post-surgical sites
- Cancer sites
- Porta-cath insertions
- Radiation areas
- Lymphoedema-prone regions
Myth vs Fact: Understanding Oncology Massage
Massage can “spread” cancer.
There is no evidence that massage spreads cancer. When performed by an oncology-trained therapist, it is a safe and supportive therapy for most people with cancer (Society for Oncology Massage, 2022).
Oncology massage is just light touch.
Pressure and technique are customised to your needs—sometimes gentle, sometimes firmer—based on your treatment history, energy, and comfort.
Massage isn’t effective for cancer-related symptoms.
Research shows oncology massage can reduce pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, and depression while improving sleep and overall wellbeing (Cassileth & Vickers, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2004; Wyatt et al., Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2020).
