Course summary

Jennifer Young’s postgraduate diploma in oncology massage is a certified qualification designed to give spa therapists, beauty practitioners and healthcare workers the understanding, knowledge and confidence to provide massage treatments to clients going through the different stages of cancer, without requiring medical consent.

Massage can be one of the most profoundly healing and restorative treatments a person can experience at any time. However, we know through evidence-based research, that when someone is going through cancer treatment, living with cancer or recovering from it, that massage can have a powerful physical and emotional impact. Benefits can range from short-term improvements such as reduced anxiety, reduced pain and reduced nausea to long-term benefits such as reduced depression and increased dopamine levels.

This course at the Jennifer Young Training School is a combination of online learning and the supported completion of case studies. Through it, you will learn about the biology of cancer, the science of its treatments, the biological drivers of resulting side-effects, and the protocols that you can use to deliver safe therapies, empowering you to treat clients appropriately and with confidence.

The course includes:

• A postgraduate diploma in oncology massage on successful completion
• Massage for cancer patients independent learning
• Full support from our team who are available to answer all your questions
• Accreditation from two professional bodies (FHT and ThinkTree)
• Once you have completed the course you will be insured to work hands on with cancer patients (usually at no extra premium) without a doctor’s note.

You will receive

• All learning materials in a combination of online and electronic (downloadable) formats - Including:
• Cancer Awareness Level 1 online learning
• 56 page Cancer Awareness workbook
• Advanced Cancer Awareness online learning
• Advanced Cancer Awareness workbook
• Oncology Touch Therapies - Theory and Practice online learning
• Oncology Touch Therapies - Theory and Practice workbook
• Practical Training in Oncology Massage online learning
• 50 page Oncology Massage Practical Workbook - detailing the routines and ways in which they should be adapted according to the needs of the client
• Fully referenced, evidence-based course materials

Course Assessment

• Online assessment
• Live, online session with a Jennifer Young tutor
• Case study assessment during live, online sessions with a Jennifer Young tutor
• Coaching and guidance during live tutor sessions 

Cancer Awareness Level 1

Advanced Cancer Awareness

• Cancer Treatments
• Body Systems
• Skin Considerations
• Neurological Considerations
• Haematological, Circulatory and Lymphatic Considerations
• Musculoskeletal (MSK)

Our online learning and cancer workbooks are designed to take all learning styles into account and is accessible to all. Accelerated learning techniques are used as standard during oncology courses with Jennifer Young Training

Oncology Touch Therapies  - theory and practice online learning

• The hygiene standards (advanced)
• How Therapists can look after themselves and others, emotionally and physically
• The products (massage oils, skincare and essential oil blends) that can be used
• Physical and procedural adaptations 
• Specific massages, e.g. Seated, Clothed oncology massage and through towels
• The language to use when liaising with an oncology healthcare team
• The consent process, mindful consultation and record keeping
• The requirements of the laws in place to protect the client and the therapist
• Adapted oncology massage routines
• Aftercare and Home care
• Standardised and recognised methods of collecting data to demonstrate the effectiveness of therapies

Case Studies

3 massage for cancer patients case studies are required assessed prior to certification. Models for case studies have to have been diagnosed with cancer in the past, they do not need to be actively in treatment for cancer but it is fine to work with those who are.

Full support is given throughout the case study process and we will help you to find case studies in your area if you are unable to find some willing volunteers.

Your case studies will be assessed during a live online session with a Jennifer Young tutor.

Assessment

You are will be assessed both formally and informally throughout the oncology course. You are required to complete various workbooks and activities during Day 1 and Day 2. You are asked to submit your case studies for marking and you will be given an open book exam workbook which is also to be completed, submitted and marked before we can issue our accredited Post-Graduate Diploma in Oncology Massage.

Pre-requisites

Level 3 Massage

Level 3 Beauty including massage

Certification

We offer accredited certification upon successful completion of the oncology massage course

Further Support

The field of massage for cancer patients is constantly evolving. It is our mission to make sure that you are the best therapist for cancer patients that you can be.

evidence of the benefits of oncology massage 

Short-term benefits

• Reduced anxiety, depressed mood and anger in breast cancer patients
• Increased vigour (breast cancer patients)
• Reduced mood disturbances and perceived stress levels
• Improved sleep quality
• Improved quality of life (breast cancer patients)
• Reduced pain and improvement of mood, reduced stress levels
• Reduced perception of pain, nausea and increased relaxation after 10 minute (5 minute per foot) foot massage
• Pain intensity, pulse rate, and respiratory rate significantly reduced immediately after the massages. 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
• Reduced depression and improved sleep

• Reduced heart rate and lower blood pressure
• Decrease in physical discomfort, group fatigue, and mood disturbance. The effect of massage on mood disturbances was greater when treated continuously by the same therapist

Long-term benefits 

• Reduced depression and hostility, increased urinary dopamine, serotonin values, natural killer cell number and lymphocytes in breast cancer patients
• Reduced mood disturbances and perceived stress levels (breast cancer patients)

Full references are provided as standard in Jennifer Young Training materials.

Course Detail

Become qualified to offer massage for cancer patients in your salon, spa, clinic or rooms.

This qualification is delivered online and can be completed at your convenience, to suit your schedule.

You will receive

• Cancer Awareness Level 1 online learning
• Your fully referenced, evidence-based 56 page cancer awareness workbook
• Advanced Cancer Awareness online learning
• Your fully referenced Advanced Cancer Awareness workbook
• Oncology Touch Therapies  - theory and practice online learning
• Your fully referenced Oncology Touch Therapies Theory and Practice workbook
• Practical Training in Oncology Massage online learning
• Your fully referenced, evidence-based 50 page Oncology Massage Practical Workbook - detailing the routines and ways in which they should be adapted according to the needs of the client

Course Assessment

• online assessment
• live online session with a Jennifer Young tutor
• case study assessment during live online sessions with a Jennifer Young tutor
• coaching and guidance will be given during the live tutor sessions 

Cancer Awareness Level 1

Advanced Cancer Awareness

Cancer Treatments

• cancer inhibiting medication and targeted therapies 
• immunotherapy
• proton beam therapy
• cryotherapy is used as a treatment in cervical cancer
• photo dynamic therapy (PDT) 
• detailed information regarding hormone therapy 

Body Systems

The structure and function of the body systems and their interdependence on each other

• skin diseases, disorders and conditions
• the stages of the skin healing process

Skin Considerations

• epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) rash
• radiodermatitis
• pruritus
• xerosis
• eczema
• cellulitis

Neurological Considerations

• peripheral neuropathy
• PMPS (post-mastectomy pain syndrome)
• chemo-brain
• encephalopathy (radiotherapy and chemotherapy induced)
• chemo-related tremors

Haematological, Circulatory and Lymphatic Considerations

• lymphoedema
• neutropenia
• anaemia
• thrombocytopenia
• cardiotoxicity

Musculoskeletal (MSK)

• axillary web syndrome
• muscular atrophy
• range of motion/MSK dysfunction post-surgery

Our online learning and cancer workbooks are designed to take all learning styles into account and is accessible to all. Accelerated learning techniques are used as standard during oncology courses with Jennifer Young Training

Oncology Touch Therapies  - theory and practice online learning includes

• The hygiene standards required when working with cancer patients and how these differ from the standard taught during our entry level qualifications
• Ways in which therapists can look after themselves as well as others, emotionally and physically
• The products (massage oils, skincare and essential oil blends) that can be used
• Physical and procedural adaptations 
• Seated oncology massage
• Clothed oncology massage
• Cancer massage through towels
• Oncology massage in a clinical setting
• The language to use when liaising with an oncology healthcare team
• The consent process
• The requirements of the laws in place to protect the client and the therapist
• Mindful consultation and record keeping
• A safe and effective oncology massage routine that can be adapted to be offered to all, no matter what their condition or concern
• Individual adaptations to the oncology massage routine
• Adaptation decision making
• How to make a client comfortable
• Aftercare
• Home care
• Standardised and recognised methods of collecting data to prove the effectiveness of your oncology massage therapies

Case Studies

3 massage for cancer patients case studies are required assessed prior to certification. Models for case studies have to have been diagnosed with cancer in the past, they do not need to be actively in treatment for cancer but it is fine to work with those who are.

Full support is given throughout the case study process and we will help you to find case studies in your area if you are unable to find some willing volunteers.

Your case studies will be assessed during a live online session with a Jennifer Young tutor.

Assessment

You are will be assessed both formally and informally throughout the oncology course. You are required to complete various workbooks and activities during Day 1 and Day 2. You are asked to submit your case studies for marking and you will be given an open book exam workbook which is also to be completed, submitted and marked before we can issue our accredited Post-Graduate Diploma in Oncology Massage.

Pre-requisites

Level 3 Massage

Level 3 Beauty including massage

Certification

We offer accredited certification upon successful completion of the oncology massage course

Further Support

The field of massage for cancer patients is constantly evolving. It is our mission to make sure that you are the best therapist for cancer patients that you can be.