Massage therapy for patients with cancer

Patients with cancer often use massage therapy as an adjunct treatment. Oncology nurses can be advocates for patients seeking massage therapy by educating them to be informed consumers of massage therapy. They can stress that patients with cancer use massage therapists who have graduated from accredited programs, meet state licensure requirements, and have specialized training in the massage of patients with cancer. Oncology nurses often are the link between the physician ordering or approving this therapy and the LMT delivering the therapy. LMT's need information about a patient's cancer diagnosis, comorbidities, type of treatment, and reponse to treatment to safely provide massage therapy. Nurses play an important role in conveying this information and information LMT's about any special considerations, such as the presence of neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Safe and effective massage therapy to patients with cancer only is achieved when the patient, healthcare providers, and LMT collaborate effectively.