An oncology massage is a client-specific, customized massage session designed to meet the unique and changing needs of someone in treatment for cancer or with a history of cancer
treatment. A safe massage plan generally revolves around the side effects (both short- and long-term) of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. The changes that might be made to a
massage that make it an “oncology massage” can fall under any number of categories, but typically they will be related to session length, pressure, positioning and areas of specific
compromise or concern like mediports, bone metastases or skin reactions to treatment.

Oncology massage means anything from a very “normal” massage equally involving all of the client’s body to very light, simple touch intended to help a person reconnect with his or her body in a kind and healing way. When we broaden the definition of massage in this way we can easily say, “Yes, oncology massage is safe when provided by a massage therapist trained in oncology massage.