Going to a spa after a cancer diagnosis
Part of the Spabreaks.com Guides
Going to a spa, whether it’s a spa day or a spa break, is all about giving you the time and space to feel like the best version of yourself, and for anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis, that time is especially well-deserved. In this guide we hope to give you all the information you need to find the best spa destination and spa treatments for you, from going on a spa day to rest and relax with time to yourself, to what to look for when going on a spa break to maximise your experience. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our team directly or speak to your doctor before booking your spa day or break.

Can you go to a spa if you have cancer?
Yes, you can go to a spa if you have cancer. Going to a spa when you’re being treated for, living with, or recovering from cancer, can be an extremely nurturing experience. However, there are some things to consider and you may wish to speak to your doctor before you go if you have any questions.
Spa treatments for cancer patients
Like anyone, every person who has cancer has different wants and needs when it comes to wellbeing and spa treatments. Depending on the cancer treatment you’re having and the cancer that you have, you may find some treatments are more suitable than others. For example, chemotherapy can make skin highly sensitive, which may impact the products that a therapist uses.
Thankfully, lots of spas have therapists who are specially trained to adapt therapies for anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis, so you can get the most benefit. The best thing to do is look for a spa where therapists have that level of training and expertise, to give you total peace of mind.

Can you use hot tubs and is a steam room good for cancer patients?
The question of heat facilities in spas during and after cancer treatment is one that's constantly undergoing further research. Diane Hey is a therapist, practitioner, speaker, author, technical advisor and educator, as well as a trustee at The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC).
She says that it's a complex area with no straightforward answer. Specific individual wants and needs depend on your personal experiences, type of treatment, type of cancer, stage of cancer, and stage of treatment.
The simplest approach is to say that while you are having active cancer treatment it's best to avoid the use of thermal facilities including hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas. However, once you have finished treatment and have recovered your strength, they are largely considered as safe as they would be for anyone else. The exception is with radiotherapy, which can have long-lasting repercussions when it comes to the impact of heat.

Can I have a massage if I have cancer?
Yes, you can have a massage if you have cancer. Massage can be a wonderful and enjoyable experience at any stage of life, including following a cancer diagnosis. It can be powerfully relaxing, supporting mind and body, relieving tension and enhancing your mood. A therapist who has specialist training will also be able to adapt massages to optimise comfort and wellbeing, ensuring you get maximum benefit and that any special considerations (such as stomas or picc lines) are understood and taken care of.
Benefits of massage for cancer patients
There are lots of benefits of massage for anyone who wishes to have one, and that includes cancer patients. That can be as simple as enjoying time to unwind. However, from a variety of research we know there are also a number of recorded benefits for cancer patients’ mental and physical wellbeing. Some of this research includes information from the team at Jennifer Young, who provide therapist training in cancer touch treatments and make their own skincare products.
Information taken from ResearchGate and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows:
Short-term benefits of oncology massage include:
- Reduced anxiety, depressed mood and anger in breast cancer patients.
- Increased vigour.
- Reduced mood disturbances and perceived stress levels.
- Improved sleep quality.
- Improved quality of life.
- Reduced pain and improvement of mood, reduced stress levels.
- Reduced perception of pain, nausea and increased relaxation.
- Pain intensity, pulse rate, and respiratory rate significantly reduced immediately after massage. At study entry, the massage group reported higher pain intensity, which decreased by 42% (25% reduction in the control group).
- Reduced anxiety scores, depression, general fatigue, reduced motivation fatigue, and emotional fatigue.
Long-term benefits of touch therapies include:
- Reduced depression
- Increased urinary dopamine
- Increased serotonin values
- Increased natural killer cell numbers and lymphocytes
- Reduced mood disturbances and perceived stress levels (specifically in breast cancer patients)

Best types of massage for cancer patients
There’s no one specific type of massage that’s best suited to cancer patients. Like anyone, each individual has their own wants and needs that vary from one day to the next. However, it is recommended that anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis sees a therapist with the right qualifications to adapt spa treatments to their needs. This will ensure you have the best care, and best results possible. You can find spas where therapists have these qualifications via Spabreaks.com’s Safe Hands for Cancer collection.

Can you have a facial if you have cancer?
Yes, in general terms you can have a facial if you have cancer. However, as with all things, having a facial during and after cancer treatment is a personal experience.
As a rule of thumb, it's suggested that you do not have a facial during active chemotherapy, and that you wait until treatment is finished. That said, with a highly skilled and properly trained therapist there can be exceptions to that rule. Diane Hey says: "A specially trained therapist will know that when it comes to cancer treatment your situation changes from one day to the next, and that's why we have consultations in place to understand the guest and their needs."

Can you have a manicure or pedicure if you have cancer?
Yes, you can get a manicure or pedicure if you have cancer, but what you have and when you have it will depend on your individual circumstances.
For example, cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, can lead to fragile nails as well as dry and sore skin, so some people may wish to avoid polish until nails recover. However, moisturising nails and cuticles can be a restorative experience.
While simple, gentle manicures with a qualified therapist are a lovely treatment to have, it's recommended that you avoid false nails, gels or other acrylics during active cancer treatment, use water-based polishes, and try to avoid aggressive chemicals such as acetone.
If you book your treatment with a therapist who is qualified to adapt therapies for the different stages of the cancer journey they will be able to help guide you in your choices. If you are in any doubt, speak to your doctor first.
Where’s the best place to book a spa break after a cancer diagnosis?
Spabreaks.com proudly acts as the official partner of The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC), and there are now many spas across the UK that have therapists who are trained to adapt spa treatments to optimise comfort, experience and wellbeing for anyone who has ever had a cancer diagnosis. We have made those destinations easy to find with our Safe Hands for Cancer collection.
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