Massage and metastasis

I just became aware that many of the Thai women on Saipan who do legitimate massage are reluctant to massage a cancer patient because they were trained it could activate it or spread cancer cells (something like popping a zit, I guess). While I'm glad to hear they're cautious about doing massage when a medical condition might be adversely affected, this one's new to me. I see that many cancer centers offer oncology massage, and that there can be a safety issue. E.g., on MDA's website: "In the past, therapists thought massage would increase circulation and therefore cause cancer to spread. The process of metastasis is very complicated and poorly understood; however increased circulation is not considered a significant part of that process by itself." But also: "However, it's true that cancer and cancer treatments can put people at risk for complications from massage, so it is important to take some precautions." I'm thinking this caveat has to do mainly with injury to fragile bones or muscles, not spreading the cancer. Any forum members have good information on this? Or can refer me to reliable sources on the web?
This came to my attention today when a friend of my wife's told me she turned away a long-time customer who was undergoing radiation therapy and she was quite distressed that she couldn't bring herself to help him.
No, the "customer" isn't me. And please, no off-color remarks about Asian women doing massage.

Tall Allen said...
I wonder if it's just an excuse. It may be they really don't want to touch a cancer patient because they imagine that it may be communicable. Increased circulation helps healthy tissues stay healthy. Increased oxygenation may help radiotherapy work better.

I don't think that's it, Allen, though it's understandable the thought crossed your mind. She told me pretty much the same thing that MDA says therapists used to believe -- that massage could spread the cancer, and specifically that that's what she was taught in massage school in Bangkok. Also, there's no reason she would hide behind such an excuse -- she'd have just asked me outright if cancer is contagious. None of our Thai friends have shied away from me, and they all know I've got cancer.

A friend who recently passed was also informed in California that massage could cause cancer to spread. Apparantly the consensus among massage therapists extends far beyond Saipan.

What kind of massage are we talking about here - just regular full body massage? what about anything that uses the prostate say for example having sex and ejaculation - could that possibly help spread outside prostate? Are we getting paranoid? Is recommendation that if u have PCA you do not get a massage. thanks

Ok, I'll just come out and say what I know others are thinking. This post rubs me the wrong way.

GoBucks said...
Ok, I'll just come out and say what I know others are thinking. This post rubs me the wrong way.

Gobucks is the new InTheShop. Next thing you know you’ll be writing poetry. 😂

At my wife's infusion center they regularly have a massage therapist in the waiting room. She has the special massage chair with the face donut, and wipes everything down between patients. The massage is free but they only offer this service one day a week at random intervals.

This is at a major cancer center and as we've been there over a dozen times we have both received the massages before seeing the oncologist. It is head/neck and spine only but it very relaxing. I don't think they'd be doing this if there were any possible adverse effects for the patients.