Oncology

Why Integrated Care Matters

• 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• Up to 80% of chemotherapy patients report moderate to severe fatigue, which can persist for months or even years post-treatment. (Bower, 2014)

• 50% of patients undergoing chemotherapy experience nausea and vomiting, even with antiemetic medication. (Hickok et al., 2005)

• Up to 60% of people with cancer report anxiety or depression, with emotional distress often under-identified. (Mitchell et al., 2011)

• 30–40% of individuals undergoing treatment experience insomnia, which may persist beyond the active treatment phase. (Savard & Morin, 2001)

• 33–60% of women on hormones for breast cancer experience hot flushes, severe enough to interfere with quality of life. (Carpenter et al., 2004)

• 20–60% of survivors report chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, leading to pain, tingling, and balance issues. (Seretny et al., 2014)

• 48% of patients experience chronic pain following treatment, even after the cancer is in remission. (van den Beuken-van Everdingen et al., 2007)

• Up to 70% report digestive disturbances, including constipation, bloating, or altered appetite. (Molassiotis et al., 2007)

• More than 60% of patients in Europe seek out complementary and integrative therapies during or after treatment, most commonly for symptom relief and emotional wellbeing. (Molassiotis et al., 2005)

Our Therapeutic Approach

Essential Oil Therapy

Sessions are gentle and deeply relaxing. Soft lighting, calm music, and the tailored use of essential oils—like lavender for anxiety or ginger for nausea—set the tone.

The session may take the form of an aroma journey with inhalation or an acupressure facial with adaptation for any lymphedema risk, portacath sites, or skin sensitivity.

Adjustments for Oncology Patients:

• Oils are carefully selected not to overwhelm or trigger sensitivities.

• Touch is light and avoids areas affected by radiation, surgery or ports.

“The scent alone brought me back to myself. I left each session lighter.”

Best for: anxiety, insomnia, nausea, emotional tension

Auricular & Body Acupuncture

Clients often describe acupuncture as unexpectedly calming. Fine needles are placed with precision into specific points, on the ear or the body, stimulating natural pain-relief and relaxation responses.

The treatment is adapted weekly to suit changing symptoms—neuropathy one week, nausea or sleep the next.

Adjustments for Oncology Patients:

• Sterile, single-use needles with heightened infection control protocols

• Points avoided over tumour sites, scars, or areas with skin breakdown

“I didn’t expect to feel this good without taking anything. My body started to settle.”

Best for: pain, neuropathy, hot flashes, fatigue, anxiety

These sessions focus on reconnection and reset. Reflexology targets pressure points—primarily in the feet—to support overall system function.

Massage techniques are kept gentle and responsive, avoiding deep pressure or any area affected by recent treatments.

Adjustments for Oncology Patients:

• Pressure adjusted for bone fragility or low platelet counts

• No massage over lymphedema-prone areas or recent radiotherapy sites

• Seated or side-lying positions available for comfort and safety

“It was the only time all week I didn’t feel like a patient. Just a person.”

Best for: stress, lymphatic flow, pain, emotional wellbeing

Reflexology & Light Touch Massage

Our Therapies

Oncology Safe Rejuvenating Facial

This treatment is ideal for sensitive skins and safe for those living with cancer. The products used are organic, and fragrance, preservative and phytoestrogen free. The facial cleanse and massage are incredibly gentle and use acupressure point activation rather than tissue manipulation.

It is incredibly relaxing and calming for mind and body, and leaves the skin feeling soft and supple. The therapist works from the face onto the scalp using gentle touch and crystals. This treatment is tailored by your choice of crystal which resonates with you, and areas of concern.

The treatment can be adjusted to make you comfortable post-surgery, during oncology treatment and to account for any medical devices you have. It also includes time and space to re-do facial make-up and hair.

Our Client Experience

Prostate Cancer (Post-radiotherapy)

Concerns:

Digestive upset, lower back pain, low mood

Initial MYCAW Scores:

• Primary Concern (digestive issues): 6/10

• General Wellbeing: 5/10

Treatment Plan (8 Weeks):

• Acupuncture targeting digestive and lumbar points – twice weekly

• Hypnotherapy focusing on stress-related gut discomfort and visualisation – weekly

• Aromatherapy diffuser blend of sleep supportive and digestive oils – nightly

Therapeutic Adjustments:

• Points modified to avoid sensitivity post-radiotherapy

• Hypnotherapy included guided imagery to reduce gut-brain axis tension

Outcomes:

• Digestive symptoms reduced to 2/10

• Wellbeing increased to 8/10

• Reported higher emotional resilience and less discomfort making it easier to be active

Client Feedback:

“I got more than symptom relief—I got confidence. I started walking again and sleeping without that knot in my stomach.”

Breast Cancer Recovery

Concerns:

Fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia after completing chemotherapy 6 weeks earlier.

Initial MYCAW Scores:

• Primary Concern (fatigue): 7/10

• General Wellbeing: 6/10

Treatment Plan (6 Weeks):

• Essential oil therapy inhalation using ANS balancing and restorative oils – daily

• Auricular acupuncture protocols for anxiety with additional points for deeper sleep – weekly

• Reflexology with reduced pressure due to neuropathy – every two weeks

Outcomes:

• Fatigue reduced to 4/10

• Wellbeing increased to 8/10

• Anxiety reduced; improved sleep duration and quality

Client Feedback:

“The treatments were like medicine for my emotions. I felt heard, seen, and less afraid of what was next.”

References

• Bower, J. E. (2014). Cancer-related fatigue—mechanisms, risk factors, and treatments. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 11(10), 597–609. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2014.127

• Cancer Research UK. (2023). Lifetime risk of cancer. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/risk/lifetime-risk

• Garcia, M. K., McQuade, J., Haddad, R., Patel, S., Lee, R., Yang, P., ... & Cohen, L. (2014). Systematic review of acupuncture in cancer care: a synthesis of the evidence. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31(7), 952–960. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2012.43.5816

• Lee, S. H., & Lee, M. S. (2015). Complementary and alternative medicine for cancer pain: an overview of systematic reviews. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/203816

• Molassiotis, A., Fernadez-Ortega, P., Pud, D., Ozden, G., Scott, J. A., Panteli, V., ... & Patiraki, E. (2005). Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients: a European survey. Annals of Oncology, 16(4), 655–663. https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdi110

• van den Beuken-van Everdingen, M. H., de Rijke, J. M., Kessels, A. G., Schouten, H. C., van Kleef, M., & Patijn, J. (2007). Prevalence of pain in patients with cancer: a systematic review of the past 40 years. Annals of Oncology, 18(9), 1437–1449. https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdm056

• Wilkinson, S., Aldridge, J., Salmon, I., Cain, E., & Wilson, B. (2007). An evaluation of aromatherapy massage in palliative care. Palliative Medicine, 11(6), 409–417. https://doi.org/10.1177/026921639701100604