Teaching & Mentoring

Did you know that 2 in 5 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime?

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Do you feel confident and comfortable offering massage to someone following a cancer diagnosis?

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Are you familiar with the side effects of cancer treatment, and how massage therapy can help?

 

Join me for this 3-part/6-hour online course on oncology massage!

 

Dates: Three Monday evenings in early 2024

Part 1: January 22, 2024

Part 2: January 29, 2024

Part 3: February 5, 2024

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm EST  

Where: Zoom (recordings will briefly be available to registrants)

Cost: Early Bird Pricing $299 + HST (until December 15, 2023)

Regular Pricing $345 + HST

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Space is limited!                                   

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Drawing on current research and over a decade of extensive experience, Susan presents valuable information for massage therapists on how to plan and deliver safe and effective treatments to help alleviate complications related to cancer treatment. Susan is an engaging and lively presenter passionate about sharing how massage therapy should be part of cancer care. This course will be delivered via Zoom and consist of visual presentations, short group work, and interactive discussions.

 

Course Outline (subject to change)

Part 1:

Pathophysiology of cancer and metastasis

Cancer-massage myths

Common cancer treatments and their side effects (surgery, chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy, nausea, radiation fibrosis, fatigue)

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Part 2:

Common cancer treatments and their side effects, continued (cancer-related pain, lymphedema, anxiety, depression)

Psycho-emotional experience of cancer, for the patient and therapist

Palliative massage

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Part 3:

Focus on Breast Cancer:

surgical options

common complications, such as cording/axillary web syndrome, capsular contracture, fat necrosis

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Learning Objectives  

• Learn what cancer is and how metastasis occurs

• Examine myths around massage and cancer

• Discover what intake questions to ask and how to plan safe and beneficial massage therapy for someone following a cancer diagnosis 

• Become familiar with common treatments for cancer and their side effects

• Learn how to adapt and apply your massage therapy skills to alleviate complications to cancer treatment, including those unique to breast cancer

• Understand the potential psycho-emotional effects of cancer treatment

• Appreciate the value of massage therapy in end-of-life care

• Discuss self-care for RMTs

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Space is limited!                                   

 

Susan Shipton, RMT, CDT, MClSC

Susan has been a registered massage therapist in Toronto since 2012 after graduating from Sutherland-Chan School. She knew as a student that she wanted to work with people with cancer and was first introduced to this rewarding field in the post-operative breast massage clinic at the school. In 2015, she became a Vodder-certified combined decongestive therapist trained in managing lymphedema, a common complication to cancer treatment, through manual lymph drainage, compression bandaging, and other means. She has maintained her certification by completing a three-day review course every two years. For eight years, she was part of the oncology team at a well-established cancer rebab clinic in Toronto, where she successfully treated a great volume of patients with different types of cancer and a variety of complications and experiences. In 2021, Susan completed a Master’s degree in Advanced Health Care Practice – Interprofessional Pain Management from Western University. She has written articles on breast cancer, trauma-informed care, and compassion fatigue for Massage Therapy Today and presented on cancer-related pain and interprofessional pain management at the RMTAO 2023 Education Conference. During her previous career in book publishing, Susan was an instructor for seven years in the publishing program at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University).

 Questions?  Please Email Susan to discuss.