Massage in Cancer Care and Palliative Care: Comfort, Safety and Coordination
What is known about massage for comfort during cancer treatment and in palliative or hospice care, which situations call for caution, and why your cancer team should know about it.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Urgent Signs First
Some problems during cancer care need medical help, not massage. A swollen, painful, warm or red leg or arm can be a blood clot; one cancer-care page lists pain, swelling, warmth and redness in the affected area as possible signs of a clot in a vein. [1] Shortness of breath and pain when breathing can signal a clot that has traveled to the lungs. [2] If you have those symptoms, call 911 in the US. Contact your cancer team before any appointment if you feel unwell during treatment. More in massage and blood clots.The Short Version
Many people with cancer, and people in palliative or hospice care, use massage for comfort and relaxation. It does not treat cancer. Cancer Research UK says there is no scientific evidence that massage can treat cancer. [3] Evidence for symptom relief is promising but limited. Massage is at most an add-on to the care your team gives, and you should not stop or delay any treatment for it. For symptom-by-symptom detail, see Massage for Cancer-Related Symptoms.What the Research Found
| Question | What the sources found | How strong |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer pain and anxiety (overall) | NCCIH says there is only limited evidence. [4] A 2016 evaluation of 19 studies (more than 1,200 people) found some evidence for pain and anxiety, but the quality of the evidence was very low. [4] | Promising but limited |
| Manual therapies, including massage | A 2021 review of 13 studies found benefits for pain, physical function and well-being, but not fatigue, nausea, anxiety or depression. [4] | Mixed |
| Pain, via a Cochrane review | In a 2016 Cochrane review described by Cancer Research UK, there was not enough evidence to say either type of massage reduced pain. [3] | Insufficient evidence |
| Pain in palliative or hospice care | The 2022 Society for Integrative Oncology and ASCO guideline says massage may be recommended for pain during palliative or hospice care. [5] Its recommendations rest on an intermediate level of evidence and a moderate strength of recommendation. [5] | Promising but limited |
| Palliative care reviews | A 2025 review found many studies showed short-term symptom improvement. [6] A 2024 review found massage and virtual reality had the most support for pain. [7] A 2023 review noted few studies reflected real-world massage delivery. [8] | Promising but limited |
Cancer Research UK adds that most studies are small or have design limits. [3] Massage cannot be blinded, so expectation and attention from a caring person may account for part of the benefit. That does not make the comfort unreal, but it limits what trials can show. The Cancer Research UK page we read was last reviewed in September 2022 and marked due for review in September 2025. [3]
Does Massage Spread Cancer?
Some people worry that massage could move cancer cells around the body. Cancer Research UK says no research has proved this. [3] Still, the same source says people with cancer should avoid very deep massage, and gentler types may be safer. [3]Where Caution Is Needed
Formal numeric rules, such as a blood-count cutoff for massage, are not described in the sources we read, and we could not read the US National Cancer Institute's massage page. The points below come from a patient-advice page from a UK breast cancer surgery research project and a US breast cancer information site, so treat them as questions for your own team, not rules.| Situation | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Strong or deep pressure | Deep or strong-pressure massage is advised against during chemotherapy and radiation. [9] NCCIH says therapists may need to use less pressure in areas sensitive because of cancer or treatment. [4] |
| Low blood counts, bruising | Chemotherapy can lower red and white blood cells and increase bruising risk. [9] If you bruise or bleed easily or have a low platelet count, check with your doctor or nurse first. [1] |
| Central lines and catheters | Avoid massaging around a central line or intravenous catheters. [1] The page names lines and catheters; ask your team whether the same applies to your implanted port. |
| Radiation-treated skin | Avoid areas being treated with radiotherapy or recently treated. [1] Massage and oils can make irritated skin feel much worse. [9] |
| Surgical area | Do not massage the surgical area until it is fully healed. [1] |
| Tumors, bone, wounds, clots | Avoid tumors near the skin surface or near any area affected by cancer, open wounds and bruises, and areas with a clot. [1] If cancer is in the bones, avoid rubbing those areas. [1] |
Swelling after lymph node surgery needs its own care. See Lymphedema Care and Complete Decongestive Therapy.
Coordination With Your Care Team
- Tell your cancer team you are considering massage, and which areas, devices and treatments to avoid.
- Ask whether your therapist has oncology training. See Oncology Massage: What It Is and Training.
- Tell the therapist about your diagnosis, treatment stage, ports or lines, skin changes, and medicines.
- You can ask the therapist to stop at any time. Some people feel emotional or tearful for a while afterward. [3]
Palliative and Hospice Care
Here the goal is comfort. Reviews report mostly short-term benefits, and few studies reflect real-world massage delivery. [6] [8] Gentle touch from a trained therapist or a family member may be part of a care plan the palliative team agrees to. In a 2012 US study described by Cancer Research UK, carers given a DVD and instruction manual showed more confidence, comfort and skill in using touch at the end of the study. [3] This page does not teach technique. Ask the palliative team what is appropriate for the person's condition.Frequently asked questions
Can massage treat cancer?
No. Cancer Research UK says there is no scientific evidence that massage can treat cancer. [3]
Is massage safe during chemotherapy or radiation?
Sources advise against deep pressure, and caution about low blood counts and radiation-treated skin. [9] Talk to your cancer team first.
Can I have massage near a port or central line?
One cancer-patient page says to avoid massaging around central lines or intravenous catheters. [1] Ask your own team about your port.
Does massage help with pain in hospice?
A US oncology guideline says massage may be recommended for pain during palliative or hospice care. [5] Research overall is small and short-term. [6]
Do I need a special therapist?
The sources say therapists may need to modify their usual techniques. [4] Ask about oncology training and read how to choose a qualified massage therapist.
References
- ePainQ research project website (epainq.leeds.ac.uk, a University of Leeds address), Massage advice page for people after breast cancer surgery. Read 2026-10-22.
- NHLBI (US National Institutes of Health), Venous thromboembolism: symptoms (updated 19 September 2022). Read 2026-10-22.
- Cancer Research UK, Massage therapy (last reviewed 6 September 2022; marked due for review 6 September 2025). Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches (page last updated October 2021). Read 2026-10-22.
- Integrative medicine for pain management in oncology: Society for Integrative Oncology-ASCO guideline, Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- Effectiveness of music therapy, aromatherapy, and massage therapy on patients in palliative care with end-of-life needs: a systematic review, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2025. Read 2026-10-22.
- Non-pharmacological interventions feasible in the nursing scope of practice for pain relief in palliative care patients: a systematic review, Palliative Care and Social Practice, 2024. Read 2026-10-22.
- Massage therapy in palliative care populations: a narrative review of literature from 2012 to 2022, Annals of Palliative Medicine, 2023. Read 2026-10-22.
- Breastcancer.org, Massage Therapy for Breast Cancer (updated 21 December 2024). Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.