From aromatherapy to massages: supporting cancer patients with complementary therapies
Thanks to funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the Complementary Therapies team is learning new techniques to help care for patients during treatment and after surgery.
Patients who are undergoing cancer treatment or recovering from surgery can often experience physical pain, as well as anxiety about their condition and the future. That’s where complementary therapies can come in, helping to manage and alleviate these symptoms.
What are complementary therapies?
At The Royal Marsden, complementary therapies are supportive treatments that are used alongside a patient’s main medical care plan, to promote wellbeing and improve quality of life. Examples include treatments like acupuncture, aromatherapy and massage.
“These treatments often appeal because they are not medical,” says Caroline Osland, Senior Complementary Therapist at The Royal Marsden. “Patients tell us that they value the one-on-one time with therapists. They value the therapeutic approaches that help them cope with the symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment, without the need for further medications.”
The Complementary Therapies team are offering new techniques to help care for patients from diagnosis right through to post-treatment, thanks to funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. “We wanted our team to develop their knowledge and skills because we know how successful these therapies can be for managing pain and enhancing quality of life,” says Elaine. “We’re very grateful to the Charity for supporting this training.”
Supporting patients with post-surgery scar care
One of the complementary therapies funded by the Charity is scar tissue massage, which can have an important impact on a patient’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Patients who have undergone surgery can often experience discomfort from the resulting scars, as well as difficulty accepting their post-surgery body. Scar tissue massage aims to help patients with their mobility, reduce pain and improve the appearance of scars.
The simple techniques for managing scar tissue can be taught to patients to help them manage their care, whether that’s at home, between hospital visits, or as part of their ongoing treatment. As well as easing physical discomfort, the team has found that the techniques can support patients’ mental health in adapting to the new appearance of their skin.
"I feel so lucky to have had all these different therapies available"
Vicky was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. After undergoing various treatments at The Royal Marsden, including a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, she was referred to the Complementary Therapies team for help with managing her surgery scars.
“The scar tissue massage was so beneficial,” says Vicky. “The surgery left me with a large lump of scar tissue and the massage was to try to break that up a bit and make it less painful. It definitely helped and it doesn't hurt any more.”
In addition to scar tissue massage, Vicky received other complementary therapies at The Royal Marsden, including reflexology, counselling, and aromatherapy, which she described as “wonderful”. She feels grateful for all the treatments she received: “I feel so lucky to have had all these different therapies available alongside the actual cancer treatment, to help me manage the side effects. I really felt taken care of.”
The Royal Marsden’s lymphoedema service
Vicky also benefited from the lymphoedema service at The Royal Marsden. Lymphoedema is a condition which affects the body’s lymphatic tissues, causing swelling, and can occur after surgery. As well as having a physical and psychological impact on patients, it can also put them at increased risk of infections such as cellulitis (a serious bacterial infection of the skin). Therefore, earlier intervention for lymphoedema is key to its management.
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity funds the role of a Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist, which has a huge benefit for patients like Vicky:
“I also had treatment for lymphoedema along the way and again, that was really, really helpful. I had lymphoedema a little bit in my chest where the reconstruction was, but also in my hand and lower arm. They gave me a compression glove to wear and I also had a week-long course of manual lymphatic drainage massage to ease my symptoms."
"The Royal Marsden saved my life"
“I feel so lucky to have had all these different therapies available alongside the actual cancer treatment, to help me manage the side effects. These things just make the world of difference to patients because it's something non-clinical. Therefore, it’s not scary, and feels like a holistic approach to a patient’s wellbeing,” says Vicky.
“The Royal Marsden saved my life, and I’m so proud to have been a patient there, the staff almost feel like family. The hospital provides life-changing and life-saving treatment and I’m so very grateful for it”.
Your support helps us fund services like complementary therapies
With your help, we can continue funding complementary therapies and supporting lymphoedema services at The Royal Marsden, to help patients throughout all stages of their journey with cancer.
Discover some of the ways you can support us today.
