massage therapy question

[jen109]

Is it safe to have massages if you have breast cancer, or is there any risk that this could cause breast cancer to spread to the lymph nodes?  I've seen conflcting reports online.

Thank you for your advice.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,
Wish you a Happy New Year too.
Do let us know how you are doing.
Regards.

[jen109]

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and advice.  I really appreciate it and wish you a very happy and healthy new year.
jen

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,
Both liz and ihughes are in fact right. First it is to be appreciated that they sharing their own experiences and encouraging others.
Breast massage in fact is helpful to drain out the retained lymphatic secretions nad goes a long way in the prevention and treatment of lymphedema. Also it helps in case of mild pain and stiff ness in the breast region.
There are no risks of cancer cells spreading due to the massage.
But again it would be best to first inform your doctor before you try it out for any specific instructions or precautions in your case.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.

[lhughes]

If you've had lymph nodes removed, you need to have the massage therapist move any fluid away from the affected side to the good side.  For instance, my left lymph nodes were removed.  There is a special technique that even an untrained in lymphedema massage therapist can do...which is to do an efflurage to the right side...lymph nodes in the armpit, neck, stomach, pelvis area can be targeted to the unaffected side.  The fluid is moved from the impaired side to the unaffected side.  My friend is a massage therapist and I showed her how to mimic a lymphedema therapists movements (she showed my hubby and we in turn gave her the instructions and a demo) so that when I have minor problems, my friend can help me out a little more effectively than my husband.

If you've had radiation, your skin will feel differently to the therapist.  I didn't realize how much differently until I had her do a massage and ask me if there was additional issues with my under wing area.  I asked the onc about it, and he stated it was just changes in the skin and underlayers from the radiation.  Tis always good to have these things checked out first.

Other than that, I know of no other reasoning to not get a massage.  Enjoy and relax.  Relaxation cannot be a bad thing.  :)

[lizziecee]

Hi Jen - I was dx with invasive idc, plus lymph spread - WLE and total axillary resection.After the 2 surgeries and before starting chemo my husband offered to pay for a close girlfriend and I to go to a spa hotel for 5 days, where we could have various therapies. I needed some chill out time.  When I booked and answered a few medical questions the receptionist said I would need a letter from my surgeon or Oncologist, saying I could have massages. In the event my Oncologist wrote the letter stating I could have them, but not to the breast where the tumour was, nor the chest wall.  I had various different massages and had a wonderful 5 days of complete relaxation before the horrendous chemo and rads. My Onc didn't discuss with me his reasoning, but he certainly didn't say that massage would spread the cancer, because as far as we knew, it was taken out by surgery. I think he was more concerned with the post-op healing effects.

Take care,
Liz.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,
Breast massage does not cause spread of cancer cells to the lymph nodes.
It is ok to have the massages, but it would be best to consult your doctor before it.
Good luck.