Treatments for clients with cancer: are you covered?

As a therapist, your client base will consist of individuals from all walks of life, some of whom are bound to be living with chronic health concerns.

Offering a variety of beauty and wellness treatments can support clients through their illness, making them feel a little more like their old self, and boosting their well-being before, during, and after gruelling treatment.

In the UK, Macmillan Cancer Support estimate there are almost 3.5 million people living with cancer, with more than 400,000 people diagnosed each year. If one of your clients tells you the unfortunate news that they have been diagnosed with cancer, what do you do? Can you continue to treat them?

If you're an ABT member, then the answer is yes.

If you're carrying out non-invasive treatments for your client's well-being, which includes facials, massage, manicures and pedicures amongst others, then there is no need to be concerned. If you are not an ABT member, you should contact your insurance provider to confirm whether treating cancer sufferers is excluded.

As ABT members' insurance policy does not exclude you from treating clients undergoing treatment for cancer. In addition, you don't have to worry if a client tells you during consultation that he or she is in remission (however you will still need to note this in your consultation).

It's worth noting that if any specialist training for a therapy for treating people with cancer is available, then it would be a good idea to attend this. Any products used should be checked to see if they are safe on cancer patients as per the manufacturer's guidelines. 

Take a look at ABT Accredited courses that offer treatments specifically tailored to be suitable for those going through cancer treatment. 

Your client should also consult their specialist medical practitioner and you should also record their consent on your client's consultation form/card.

When it comes to complementary therapies, such as massage,  Breast Cancer Now advise: “Most complementary therapies are safe for people with breast cancer. However, if you are considering complementary therapies, speak to your treatment team first.”

The Cancer Act 1939 (Section 4) means that it is against the law to advertise a treatment to the public claiming to cure cancer; this includes giving advice in relation to cancer treatment. You are not a medical professional, and therefore you must not imply that any of the treatments you offer will cure the disease; some of the therapies you are qualified in can assist in easing the side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and help with a client's overall feeling of well-being and self-esteem.

Remember, you should only offer treatments for which you are qualified and which are accredited by ABT and therefore covered under your ABT policy. If you're unsure, contact ABT's team on 01789 773573 or email info@abtinsurance.co.uk.

Via their website, Cancer Research UK offer advice to cancer sufferers about the types of treatments that may be beneficial in helping them to cope with the pain, discomfort and fatigue associated with cancer treatments. Amongst these, massage is recommended. Vitally, they state: “Some people worry that having a massage when you have cancer may make the cancer cells travel to other parts of the body. But no research has proved this to be true.”

Hands, feet and nails

Chemotherapy treatment can affect nails, making them brittle and cracked. Cuticles may become dry and sore. According to breastcancer.org, clients who have had lymph nodes under their arms removed during mastectomy or lumpectomy need to be particularly aware of nail care, as hangnails or cuts can lead to infection.

Offer you client advice on natural nail, hand and foot care including regular use of a cuticle oil to keep cuticles moisturised. Consider using acetone-free polish remover and other products that will not dry the nail plate further and, as always, only use sterilised tools.

Skincare

Clients undergoing treatment for cancer may find that their skin becomes drier. Therefore, you should take this into account during facial treatments; you are in the perfect position to help your client restructure their facial routines to include cleansers, exfoliators and serums for sensitive skin. You can also recommend body moisturisers that can help keep skin supple.

Brow reconstruction

If your client is undergoing chemotherapy, it is likely that they will experience hair loss. The powerful drugs used to attack cancer cells also have the same effect on hair roots, and chemotherapy can cause hair on all areas of the body to fall out including eyebrows and lashes. Today's brow products are highly advanced and help to recreate the lost hair that goes so far in framing the face.

If you have trained in make-up application, use your skills to show your client how to apply brow powders to recreate eyebrows; today's brow products are highly advanced and help to recreate the lost hair that goes so far in framing the face.

Areola reconstruction

Body confidence for those who have undergone mastectomy due to breast cancer can be vital concern in their recovery process. Micropigmentation, or semi-permanent makeup (SPMU), is now widely available for areola reconstruction and camouflaging scarring. Specialist advanced training in this lifechanging skill is available for experienced micropigmentation technicians.

If you would like to use your qualifications to help cancer sufferers on a wider scale, the Look Good Feel Better charity are always appealing for Beauty Volunteers. You need at least one year's experience in skincare or the application of make-up, and be happy to deliver the charity's Workshops and Masterclasses for men and women across the UK who are undergoing treatment for cancer. Find out more at www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk.