The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) is working on a new spa industry training standard for the treatment of lymphoedema.

Lymphoedema is the build-up of fluid in soft body tissues when the lymph system is damaged or blocked – a condition that people living with cancer and those undergoing treatment for cancer are at high risk of being affected by.

The SATCC board* says health services are struggling to support cancer patients with lymphoedema as they don't have enough appropriately-qualified staff or appointment times to answer the demand.

In light of this, the committee feels the spa industry has an opportunity to help in a preventative capacity and help clients with cancer avoid or minimise the effects of lymphoedema.

Speaking to Spa Business, SATCC board member, therapist trainer and cancer care specialist Christine Clinton said the training will help equip therapists with the skills to determine the client’s risk factor for lymphoedema and modify the spa treatment accordingly.

The training will also teach therapists how to offer home care advice to the client, share information about the risk factors for lymphoedema at home and in the workplace and demonstrate simple exercises to reduce the risk and manage the condition at home.

The SATCC envisions that advanced therapists (Level Five CIDESCO/CIBTAC) would undertake this training to help them upskill to become a ‘Wellness Professional’.

*The SATCC committee

● Abi Selby: founder of SpaBreaks.com ● Amanda Winwood: MD of Made for Life Organics and founder of Made for Life Foundation and Cancer Touch Therapy Training.

● Christine Clinton: founder of Christine Clinton Cancer Care. ● Debbie Moore: co-founder of the Amethyst Trust.

● Diane Hey: standards and qualification technical advisor to Habia Board. ● Jennifer Young: owner of Jennifer Young and Defiant Beauty. ● John Holman: MD of Hydrotherm Massage Systems.

● Julie Speed: co-founder of the Amethyst Trust. ● Kim Ford: global consultancy examiner and lecturer.

● Kush Kumar: CEO of Think Tree Hub. ● Marc Innes: principal of School of Natural Therapies.

● Marian Hook: director of MJH Spa and Wellbeing. ● Neil Carpenter: founder of NMC2.

● Sue Harmsworth: founder of ESPA and Sue Harmsworth Ltd.