Diploma in Oncology Massage & Cancer Care

Specialise in oncology massage with this FHT-accredited 3 day diploma, designed to support clients with cancer safely and effectively.

Course Overview

This 3-day programme provides the knowledge, skills and even some course experience, for therapists who wish to open their doors to those being treated for, recovering from or living with cancer.

Historically, the massage, beauty and spa sectors have restricted, and even contraindicated clients affected by cancer. This emanates from four key areas: – Fear, lack of knowledge, robust training and insurance to practice oncology treatments, such as massage and facials. Consequently, for many therapists there has been a desire to help, but this has been overshadowed for the aforementioned reasons.

Despite these restrictions, and over the last 20 years, many individuals and organisations have worked tirelessly to change this – thus creating robust training programmes, full of medical and clinical knowledge and guidance to make it possible for therapists to lose the fear and open their doors.

With sobering statistics from world health experts, it is predicted that one in two people will experience some form of cancer in their lifetime. For this reason, it is more important than ever to support clients who are living with cancer or have a history of cancer.

There are numerous global studies to support the use of light touch, gentle massage to ease the burden of cancer related side effects. Massage has been shown to be safe, effective and is the most sought-after complimentary therapy in cancer care.

This 3-day programme is taught by award winning educator and Principal of the School of Natural Therapies (SNT), Marc Innes, who has a medical background spanning 23 years in the NHS.

Alongside Marc is the Director of Remedial Massage studies at SNT, Joseph O’Dwyer, who co-teaches this course.

In 2019, Marc Innes was presented with an award from the TPOT (The Power of Touch) foundation for Inspirational Trainer of the Year, for his work in oncology education, massage and touch therapy.

The course is accredited by FHT (15 CPD points) and adheres to the standards of education set by the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) of which Marc is an advisory board member since its inception.

Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care logo

Working with massage under Joseph’s guidance is also a great opportunity for therapists to become acquainted with vital information on the fascial network, movement and myofascial lines, all of which are disrupted by cancer related surgery. This always results in loss of range of movement, pain and dysfunction.

This is a gifted opportunity to learn some remedial techniques alongside massage, which is adapted for clients being treated for, living with, or recovering from cancer related surgery.

For beauty and spa therapists attending this programme, we will cover topics such as skincare and hand & foot rituals specifically adapted for clients with compromised health. 

Attendance Type
In-person
Qualification
Diploma (15 CPD Points)
Duration
3 day course

Accredited by

Course Fees

Deposit
£250
Cost
£457

The course fees include the following:

  • A guided and dynamic learning environment, with tutor support.
  • Comprehensive course manual.
  • Accredited Diploma Certificate.
  • Access to recommended insurance.
  • Membership of the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) for 1 year*
  • On successful completion, access to the SATCC register’s FIND A THERAPIST listing, as an independent therapist who offers oncology massage.
  • Access to volunteers during the course – this means supervised practice with clients who are being treated for, recovering from or are living with cancer.
  • A friendly and relaxed learning environment.

To reserve your place, you will need to pay your course deposit of £257.00 via the website.

The balance of the course fee of £225.00* will need to be paid one month before the course start date.

If booking less than one month before the course start date, the balance of payment will need to be paid in full, within 2 days of making the deposit payment.

Alternatively, to pay the full course fee of £482.00, please call us on: – 0203 544 6544.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirement – U.K. recognised and regulated Diploma at Level 3 or above, which must include a form of massage, alongside Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. Examples would include ITEC/VTCT, CIBTAC, CIDESCO.

Beauty and spa qualifications are also accepted, providing they are grader at level 3 or above and meet the regulatory requirements for UK awarded qualifications. Examples are CIBTAC, CIDESCO, ITEC/VTCT

Please check with us if you are unsure as to whether your qualification meets our requirements.

Course Structure

This three-day  Diploma in Oncology Massage & Cancer Care consists of 9 learning outcomes, detailed below: –

The Biology of Cancer

  • What is cancer?
  • How does it develop in the human body?
  • Types of cancer according to body tissue
  • Definition of malignant v’s benign
  • How cancer is staged and graded
  • Risk factors associated with cancer development in the human body.

Oncology and Cancer Terminology

Discovering new words and terminology when discussing or reading consultation forms with cancer information. This is highly relevant when discussing case history and intake forms for the consultation process.

How Cancer is Treated

We look closely at modern treatment regimes and the latest developments in treating cancer.

We will discover how treatments such as Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy amongst other common treatments can affect the human body – this also includes side effects from drug regimes.

As a consequence, where we need to make massage adjustments and adapt treatments for the client’s wellbeing and experience.

An awareness of any potential contraindications that may need to be discussed with the individual client.

Cancer Surgery

One important aspect to consider are the short- and longer-term effects of surgery and clients often need massage intervention and remedial work to help alleviate mobility issues and discomfort.

The Fascial Network is vital to consider and we will also discover the fascial network and it’s characteristics and composition – movement & myofascial lines –  the body’s repair mechanism and the formation of scar tissue.

Student’s will have an opportunity to observe Joseph working on client(s) and will be invited to take part in remedial techniques such as scar tissue work, stretching and appropriate remedial massage.

Side Effects of Other Cancer Treatments

Discovering the side-effects of other cancer treatments, including: –

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiotherapy (types, inernal and external, conformity, etc.
  • Cyberknife/Proton Beam
  • Cancer targeted drugs
  • Hormonal Therapy
  • Immunotherapy

Considerations for caution and adaptions and contraindications

Lymphoedema

Another important consideration, particularly with massage is clients who are at risk of lymphoedema following certain cancer treatments – we discuss these treatments and discover how lymphoedema can develop, risk factors, etc.

We re-visit the role and function a knowledge of the lymphatic system and an understanding of the development of this common side effect, associated with cancer treatment(s).

Some clients may also present with active secondary lymphoedema – therefore we discuss treatment strategies and adaptations to massage and touch therapy.

We will also discover a practical 6-step lymphatic protocol and work with this with all clients who visit us during the practical sessions during the course.

 

Product Ingredients

What are the ingredients that should not be used on compromised skin, as a potential side effect of cancer treatment?

What should be avoided during cancer treatment and what recommended and appropriate massage mediums and skincare are advised? – very relevant to spa services and beauty treatments in particular.

Prevention of cancer

Lifestyle recommendations and dietary studies for cancer prevention.

Practical Massage, Touch Therapy and Supervised Practice

During the course, we will have plenty of time to practice massage and appropriate adjustments to bodywork, as and where required. During the course we will also invite in some real-life case studies, from willing volunteers who kindly give us their time and knowledge of their cancer journey for our experience in treating clients with cancer. All client treatments are supervised during the agreed treatment plan.

Assessment

  • Learners will be continuously assessed throughout the course programme.
  • We will be monitoring practical performance and the consultation process, using a detailed intake form for our volunteer clients.
  • Learners will also be required to undertake a 25-question multiple choice exam paper for the theory element of this course.
  • Supervised Practice – on day three, a treatment and an assessment on a real client, who will have a history of cancer and will be treated by the learners alongside a detailed intake form.

Course Dates

November 2026 Intake

Battersea, London
Date & Time Location
Monday 16 November 2026
09:00 AM – 17:00 PM
Unit 45, Battersea Business Centre, 99–109 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London SW11 5QL
Tuesday 17 November 2026
09:30 AM – 17:30 PM
Unit 45, Battersea Business Centre, 99–109 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London SW11 5QL
Wednesday 18 November 2026
09:30 AM – 16:00 PM
Unit 45, Battersea Business Centre, 99–109 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London SW11 5QL
Lesson 1

Monday 16 November 2026
09:00 AM – 17:00 PM

Location: Unit 45, Battersea Business Centre, 99–109 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London SW11 5QL

Lesson 2

Tuesday 17 November 2026
09:30 AM – 17:30 PM

Location: Unit 45, Battersea Business Centre, 99–109 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London SW11 5QL

Lesson 3

Wednesday 18 November 2026
09:30 AM – 16:00 PM

Location: Unit 45, Battersea Business Centre, 99–109 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London SW11 5QL

Group Booking

Managing a spa, salon, or wellness group and need tailored training for your team? For bespoke course options and pricing, explore our training for teams.

Opportunities

  • Therapists will be able to advertise their services for clients wanting a treatment during cancer treatment, recovery, or living long term with their condition.
  • Addition to the SATCC register of trained therapists
  • Volunteers are often called for in a hospital/hospice setting
  • Students who wish to work with clients in post-surgery, reconstructive surgery and recovery, may enrol on our forthcoming advanced diploma course, which extends their knowledge and skills, in order to assess, treat and provide homecare and rehabilitation service and advice.

Tutors

Joseph O'Dwyer, Director of Sport & Remedial Studies

Joseph O'Dwyer

Director of Sport & Remedial Studies

Marc Innes, School Principal

Marc Innes

School Principal

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FAQs

If you have any questions about this course, please do not hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Diploma in Oncology Massage & Cancer Care
  Specialised Training
  Expert Instruction
  Comprehensive Curriculum

Our Venue

Unit 54, Battersea Business Centre, 99–109 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London SW11 5QL