Cancer Council NSW logo
13 11 20 Information & Support
Give monthly
Menu
  • Cancer Information
    • By cancer type
      • Bowel cancer
      • Blood cancers
      • Breast cancer
      • Lung cancer
      • Melanoma
      • Prostate cancer
      • View 45 other cancers
    • General information
      • What is cancer?
      • Coping with a diagnosis
      • Cancer treatment
      • Managing side effects
      • Living well
      • Practical concerns
      • Advanced cancer
    • How can we help you?
      • Carers
      • Family and friends
      • LGBTQI+
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • Schools and teachers
    • More resources
      • Explore our new resource hub
      • Cancer Council Podcasts
      • Cancer Information Services
      • Cancer information for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
  • Get Support
    • How can we help you
      • 13 11 20 – Speak to a cancer professional
      • Connect with others
      • Cancer Counselling
      • Pro Bono Program
      • Financial Assistance
      • Transport to cancer treatment
      • Accommodation during cancer treatment
      • Support for cancer survivors
    • More information
      • Information for health professionals
      • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • LGBTQI+
      • Cancer and COVID-19 in NSW
      • Webinars
  • Cancer Prevention
    • By topic
      • Alcohol
      • Diet and exercise
      • Screening and early detection
      • Smoking
      • Sun protection
    • Programs
      • SunSmart NSW website
      • Improve your long game
      • Tackling Tobacco
  • Research
    • By Topic
      • Research we conduct
      • Research we fund
      • Information for researchers
      • Community Involvement in Research
    • Quick links
      • Search research by cancer type or topic
      • Research Grant Applications
      • Research Achievements
  • Get Involved
    • How will you get involved
      • Events and Fundraising
      • Volunteer with us
      • Work with us
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Campaign with us
      • Shop with us
    • Quick Links
      • Events calendar
      • Share your story
      • Supporter Recognition
  • Donate
    • Donate today
    • Donate monthly
    • Donate in memory
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • More ways to donate
    • Donate Crypto
  • Cancer Information
    • By cancer type
      • Bowel cancer
      • Blood cancers
      • Breast cancer
      • Lung cancer
      • Melanoma
      • Prostate cancer
      • View 45 other cancers
    • General information
      • What is cancer?
      • Coping with a diagnosis
      • Cancer treatment
      • Managing side effects
      • Living well
      • Practical concerns
      • Advanced cancer
    • How can we help you?
      • Carers
      • Family and friends
      • LGBTQI+
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • Schools and teachers
    • More resources
      • Explore our new resource hub
      • Cancer Council Podcasts
      • Cancer Information Services
      • Cancer information for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
  • Get Support
    • How can we help you
      • 13 11 20 – Speak to a cancer professional
      • Connect with others
      • Cancer Counselling
      • Pro Bono Program
      • Financial Assistance
      • Transport to cancer treatment
      • Accommodation during cancer treatment
      • Support for cancer survivors
    • More information
      • Information for health professionals
      • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • LGBTQI+
      • Cancer and COVID-19 in NSW
      • Webinars
  • Cancer Prevention
    • By topic
      • Alcohol
      • Diet and exercise
      • Screening and early detection
      • Smoking
      • Sun protection
    • Programs
      • SunSmart NSW website
      • Improve your long game
      • Tackling Tobacco
  • Research
    • By Topic
      • Research we conduct
      • Research we fund
      • Information for researchers
      • Community Involvement in Research
    • Quick links
      • Search research by cancer type or topic
      • Research Grant Applications
      • Research Achievements
  • Get Involved
    • How will you get involved
      • Events and Fundraising
      • Volunteer with us
      • Work with us
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Campaign with us
      • Shop with us
    • Quick Links
      • Events calendar
      • Share your story
      • Supporter Recognition
  • Donate
    • Donate today
    • Donate monthly
    • Donate in memory
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • More ways to donate
    • Donate Crypto
  • Home
  • Cancer Information
  • Living well
  • Complementary therapies
  • Individual therapies
  • Massage
Download or Print PDF

Massage

What is it?

Massage involves moving (manipulating) muscles and rubbing or stroking soft tissues of the body. There are many different styles of massage. Oncology massage therapists are specially trained to adjust pressure, speed, duration and direction of strokes to provide a safe session for a person with cancer.

Why use it

All styles of massage aim to promote deep relaxation in tissue by applying pressure to muscles and pressure points. This helps to release both muscular and emotional tension. The style of massage used for people during or after cancer treatment will depend on the treatment they’re having. It may be helpful at any stage – from those newly diagnosed to people who have finished their cancer treatment.

Over the years, there has been a general concern that massage can increase the risk of cancer cells spreading to other parts of the body. However, there is no evidence that this happens.

Some types of massage can help reduce the symptoms of lymphoedema (swelling caused by a build-up of lymph fluid). This is called manual lymphatic drainage.

What to expect

Massage usually occurs in a warm, quiet room. It can be given while you either lie on a massage table or sit in a chair. The therapist uses a variety of strokes on different parts of the body. When performing massage on a person with cancer, therapists may need to adjust their pressure and avoid certain areas of the body.

Some styles of massage are done with you fully clothed; others require you to undress to your underwear so the therapist can use oil to move their hands over your skin more easily. The therapist may place pillows under different parts of your body so they’re supported. Let the therapist know if you need anything to feel more comfortable, such as a change in pressure or another blanket. You may like to close your eyes during the massage.

What is the evidence?

Many scientific studies have shown that oncology massage may help manage symptoms such as stress, pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue in people who have had chemotherapy or surgery for cancer.


Massage concerns for people with cancer

See an accredited oncology massage therapist or lymphoedema practitioner to ensure they know to avoid massaging near known areas of cancer, and understand how to adapt massage to specific safety concerns relating to cancer treatments.

Chemotherapy – This drug treatment affects the whole body. If you have a chemotherapy port, massage should not be done in this area. Some people who have chemotherapy experience tingling in their hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy), or may find they bruise or bleed easily, so should avoid deep massage.

Radiation therapy – The skin may be sensitive to touch after external radiation therapy. It may look red and appear sunburnt. If you are having radiation therapy, you should avoid massage to the treated area once any skin changes appear or your skin becomes sensitive. Massage oils may make already irritated skin feel worse.

Surgery – Recovery after surgery takes time, and it’s important to avoid massaging the area of the operation until wounds are healed and there are no other medical issues such as blood clots, infections or trapped pockets of fluid under the skin (seroma). Ask your surgeon when you can start scar massage after surgery. Gentle massaging with lotion can provide comfort and support.

Risk of lymphoedema – If you’ve had lymph nodes removed from the neck, armpit or groin during diagnosis or treatment, or if you’ve had radiation therapy to these areas, you may be at risk of developing lymphoedema. Consider seeing a trained lymphoedema therapist for massage therapy. If you have developed lymphoedema, massage therapies such as manual lymphatic drainage may help control the symptoms. Therapists not trained in treating lymphoedema should avoid the affected area. Visit Australasian Lymphology Association to find a registered lymphoedema practitioner.

For more on this, see Lymphoedema.

Bone fragility – Radiation therapy or medicines, or the cancer itself, may cause the bones to become more fragile. Care should be taken to avoid undue pressure.

→ READ MORE: Medicinal cannabis


Key resource

Download a PDF booklet on this topic.

Understanding Complementary Therapies cover thumbnail
Understanding Complementary Therapies

Download PDF542kB

More resources

  • PDF Living Well After Cancer Download PDF613kB
This information was last reviewed in January 2023. View who reviewed this content.

Dr David Joske, Clinical Haematologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and PathWest, Chairman and Founder Solaris Cancer Care Foundation, Clinical Professor of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, WA; Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA); Dr Robert Blum, Clinical Director, Cancer Services, Bendigo Health, NSW; Sally Brooks, Senior Pharmacist, Medicines Information, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Suzanne Grant, Senior Research Fellow, NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Prof Danforn Lim, Adjunct Professor and Advisory Board Member, NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, and Adjunct Professor, UTS, NSW; Christina Line, Statewide Services Senior Coordinator, Cancer Council WA; Jen McKenzie, Physiotherapist (Lymphoedema) and ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist, The McKenzie Clinic, QLD; Simone Noelker, Wellness Centre and Pastoral Care Manager, Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Nirzari Pandit, General Practitioner, RACGP Specific Interests Integrative Medicine Group, NSW; Georgie Pearson, Consumer; Cris Pirone, Counsellor, Cancer Council SA; Dr Elysia Thornton-Benko, Specialist General Practitioner, and UNSW Research Fellow, NSW; Kirsty Trebilcock, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA.

View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.

View all publications or call 13 11 20 for free printed copies.

Need to talk?

Call 13 11 20 to talk to a health professional Or email us your questions.

Support services

Coping with cancer?
Speak to a health professional or to someone who has been there, or find a support group or forum

Looking for transport, accommodation or home help?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment

Cancer information

Dealing with the diagnosis
Common reactions to a cancer diagnosis and how to find hope

Explore our resource hub
Explore and download our booklets, fact sheets, podcasts, webinars and videos for people affected by cancer

  • Complementary therapies
  • What are complementary therapies?
  • Key questions
    • Complementary therapy categories
  • Safety concerns
    • Warning signs to look out for
    • Telling your doctors about using a therapy
    • Safety of herbs
    • Safety of oils used in bodywork
    • Regulation of medicines
    • Regulation of complementary therapists
    • What can I do if something goes wrong?
  • Making informed decisions
    • Choosing a complementary therapy
    • Finding a complementary therapist
    • Can I help myself or should I see a professional?
    • Getting a second opinion
    • Costs
    • Taking part in a clinical trial
  • The role of exercise and nutrition
    • How exercise and a balanced diet can help
    • Other muscle and movement therapies
    • Should I change what I eat?
    • Taking care with special diets during treatment
  • Whole medical systems
    • Using whole medical systems
  • Individual therapies
    • Acupuncture
    • Aromatherapy
    • Art therapy
    • Chinese herbal medicine
    • Counselling
    • Flower remedies
    • Healing touch
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Laughter yoga
    • Massage
    • Medicinal cannabis
    • Mindfulness
    • Music therapy
    • Qi gong
    • Naturopathic nutrition
    • Reflexology
    • Reiki
    • Relaxation and meditation
    • Spiritual practices
    • Tai chi
    • Western herbal medicine
    • Yoga
  • Caring for someone with cancer
  • Support and information
  • Cancer stories
  • Video
  • Podcast: Meditation and Relaxation
  • About us
  • News & Media
  • Cancer Council Shop
  • Contact us
  • Work with us
  • Privacy and website policies
Aboriginal Daffodil logo

Cancer Council NSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to the elders past and present and extend that respect to all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Registered Charity (ACNC)

© Cancer Council NSW 2021. Cancer Council NSW is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charity: Charitable Fundraising Authority No. 18521. ABN 51 116 463 846. Cancer Council NSW, 153 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.