During cancer care, you may want to ask about comfort as well as medical treatment. Massage is one of the options people sometimes consider, but it is a conversation to have with your treating team first.
Melbourne Wellness does not currently offer oncology or remedial massage. Melbourne Wellness — Services. This article is general information to help you prepare questions for the professionals involved in your care.
Ask about your circumstances
Cancer Council advises choosing a therapist trained in oncology massage and checking with your surgeon before scar massage after surgery. Massage may need to be adapted around your condition and treatment. Cancer Council — Massage.
Rather than relying on a general assurance of safety, ask:
- Is massage appropriate for me at this stage?
- What information should the therapist receive from my care team?
- Are there areas, positions or techniques to avoid?
- Who should I contact if my health or treatment changes?
Write down the answers or ask for them in a form you can share with the therapist.
Make comfort and consent part of the conversation
You can say what you want from the appointment, whether you would like a support person present and which areas you do not want touched. Ask how to pause or stop a session. You are also allowed to decide that you do not want massage.
Keep your care team involved
Complementary care should be discussed with the clinicians who know your treatment. NHMRC encourages open conversations about complementary medicine and proper evaluation of its evidence. NHMRC — Complementary medicines.
Bring new symptoms or treatment concerns to your cancer care team. A general wellbeing article cannot decide what is suitable for your individual situation.
Sources
Read 15 October 2026. Sources support the adjacent general information; clinic links establish the advertised menu, not treatment effectiveness.
- NHMRC — Complementary medicines — Australian government evidence guidance; accessed 2026-10-15.
- Cancer Council — Massage — Australian cancer patient guidance; accessed 2026-10-15.
- Melbourne Wellness — Services — current clinic facts; advertised services only; accessed 2026-10-15.
