{"id":3822,"date":"2023-10-19T10:16:05","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T23:16:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/?p=3822"},"modified":"2023-10-19T16:21:30","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T05:21:30","slug":"a-diagnosis-does-not-define","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2023\/10\/19\/a-diagnosis-does-not-define\/","title":{"rendered":"A diagnosis does not define."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>October is breast cancer awareness month.  When was the last time you checked your breasts? And I mean really checked them! I had no family history of it so in my case, it was very rarely. Then one morning in the shower I brushed over a spot and thought &#8220;hmm- that doesn&#8217;t feel right&#8221;. I kept and eye on it for a couple of months and when it didn&#8217;t go away I saw my GP.  Fast forward 10 days, and after a barrage of tests I was in hospital of having a partial mastectomy.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"883\" height=\"588\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/boxing-415394_1280-edited.jpg?resize=883%2C588&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3824\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:251px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/boxing-415394_1280-edited.jpg?w=883&amp;ssl=1 883w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/boxing-415394_1280-edited.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/boxing-415394_1280-edited.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/boxing-415394_1280-edited.jpg?resize=750%2C499&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 883px) 100vw, 883px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">I was &#8220;lucky&#8221;.  I had the &#8220;good type&#8221; that didn&#8217;t require chemo, and after intensive radiation I just need to take medication and be monitored.  I expected some psychological fall out from this whole situation, what I didn&#8217;t expect is the feeling of disconnect I now have from my body. The changes to my body impacted my self-esteem, body image, and overall confidence. I feel let down by my body, I feel it betrayed me and the fading scars and radiation tattoos are a daily reminder of that.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Even though time has past, I still feel that I have the label as the &#8220;breast cancer&#8221; patient.  Well meaning friends still do that head tilt when they ask &#8220;how are you?&#8221;.  I&#8217;m happy to talk about anything <em>but <\/em>the cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s been nearly 2 years since I first felt that lump, and I still cannot bring myself to have a massage.&nbsp; I don\u2019t want to have to explain my radiation tattoos to a therapist I don\u2019t want them to see the scars in my armpit where the lymph nodes were removed, and I don\u2019t want to have to explain my medication regime to them.&nbsp; Most of all, I don\u2019t want them to panic and tell me that they can\u2019t massage me because they aren\u2019t oncology trained.&nbsp; To me that would just reinforce how my body has betrayed me.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can you do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the type of experience that 1 in 7 women and 1 in 500 men in Australia will experience in their lifetime, so it&#8217;s a fair bet that at least one of your client&#8217;s will have received a diagnosis. Here is my advice to you :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For your clients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Learn the common types of breast cancer and the current types of treatment so if a client tells you about their diagnosis, you don\u2019t panic, and you can be educated enough to ask the right questions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meet the client at whatever point they are at.&nbsp; If they don\u2019t want to lie prone \u2013 fine \u2013 adapt your treatment.&nbsp; If they have nerve damage on their upper arm or restriction from scaring, be aware of it and if they choose to leave their bra on during treatment work around it.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Know when to refer on.&nbsp; If a client is seeking treatment for post-surgical complications like lymphoedema or are undergoing active chemotherapy, you will need to refer to someone with oncology training.&nbsp; Know who the people are that offer this in your area so you can refer to them, so the client feels supported not rejected.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trust your own skills and don\u2019t not treat a client just because they have had a diagnosis. Many will seek treatment for conditions completely unrelated to the breast cancer or surgery and in most cases, massage will be perfectly fine.&nbsp; Feel honoured that they have trusted you with their body and be sensitive to the feelings they may have.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be aware that a reoccurrence is always on your clients mind.  Every year they have to go through the revolving door of specialists and testing and worst of all &#8211; waiting for results to see if it has come back.  Sometimes they may just need quiet, safe space where they aren&#8217;t be poked, prodded and having parts of their body squished.  Make your treatment room that safe space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mammography-2416942_1280.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3825\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:253px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mammography-2416942_1280.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mammography-2416942_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mammography-2416942_1280.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mammography-2416942_1280.jpg?resize=750%2C500&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mammography-2416942_1280.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check your boobs regularly.&nbsp; I had no family history of breast cancer, and my lump was not detected in my screening mammogram. I detected it myself.&nbsp; I have no doubt that my massage palpation skills helped me. Trust your instincts and get it checked straight away.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t delay your mammograms because you are &#8220;too busy&#8221;.  Many did over COVID.  At my last scan the radiologist told me that their number of detections have increased dramatically as has the stage when they are being detected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Life now<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While breast cancer may forever be a part of my history, it doesn&#8217;t have to define my future. There is life after breast cancer. The experience has lead me to try and &#8220;not sweat the small stuff&#8221;. By sharing this story  I hope one of you may take action on a lump you&#8217;re not sure of, and, as a therapist, I hope you may become a little more informed and confident in treating clients who are past the active treatment phase of their journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are great resources out there available for Breast Cancer, including the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au\/get-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">McGrath Foundation<\/a> and the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcna.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\">Breast Cancer Network Australia<\/a>. If you have a chance, take the time to do some research and educate yourself on the services that are available for yourself or your clients if needed and ensure that you are educated enough to help your clients to reconnect when they are ready.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em>Images courtesy of Pixaby<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>October is Breast Cancer awareness month. 1 in 7 women and 1 in 500 men in Australia will experience it in their lifetime.<br \/>\nIn this blog, one member shares some of the impacts a diagnosis had on her and shares some insights as to how you can help your clients who have been on this journey as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3827,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[50,2,20],"tags":[917,47],"class_list":["post-3822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-members","category-professional-practice","category-research","tag-breast-cancer","tag-massage-therapist"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pink-ribbon-3715346_1280.jpg?fit=1280%2C853&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3070,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2021\/02\/17\/focus-on-research-february-edition\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":0},"title":"Focus on Research &#8211; February Edition","author":"admin","date":"17\/02\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Our *new* Focus on Research feature has dropped its first episode. Put your critical thinking cap on and enjoy.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Focus-on-Research.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Focus-on-Research.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Focus-on-Research.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Focus-on-Research.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Focus-on-Research.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2187,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2019\/11\/27\/the-opposite-of-hurt\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":1},"title":"The Opposite of Hurt","author":"admin","date":"27\/11\/2019","format":false,"excerpt":"How easy is it to read \"cancer\" scribbled on an intake form, assemble our cancer knowledge and treat accordingly? But what about the person on the end of that diagnosis? What role do they have in treatment?","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Clinical Practice&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Clinical Practice","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/clinical-practice\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/kat3.jpg?fit=640%2C422&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/kat3.jpg?fit=640%2C422&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/kat3.jpg?fit=640%2C422&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1222,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2018\/11\/07\/case-study-low-back-pain-and-fear-avoidance\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":2},"title":"CASE STUDY: Low Back Pain and Fear Avoidance","author":"admin","date":"07\/11\/2018","format":false,"excerpt":"How much does our fear contribute to ongoing pain? Massage Therapist and Chiropractor Andrew Shepherd presents a case study on low back pain and how the biopsychosocial model works.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Study&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Study","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/case-study\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/case-study.jpg?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/case-study.jpg?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/case-study.jpg?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1357,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2019\/02\/08\/more-than-a-client\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":3},"title":"More Than a Client","author":"admin","date":"08\/02\/2019","format":false,"excerpt":"\"The history between a client and therapist, and the consequent deep feelings of mutual respect, can make a massage so important.\" AMT Chairperson Michelle McKerron shares a personal story of how some some people are more than clients.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Massage&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Massage","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/massage\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/more-than-a-client.png?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/more-than-a-client.png?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/more-than-a-client.png?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3169,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2021\/04\/15\/are-we-choosing-wisely\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":4},"title":"Are We Choosing Wisely?","author":"admin","date":"15\/04\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"What do the results of a study looking at media coverage of early detection tests for dementia, breast cancer and atrial fibrillation have to do with massage therapists, I hear you ask. More. than. you. think.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/banner-1090827_640.jpg?fit=640%2C201&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/banner-1090827_640.jpg?fit=640%2C201&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/banner-1090827_640.jpg?fit=640%2C201&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3341,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2021\/07\/15\/understanding-hypothalamic-amenorrhoea\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":5},"title":"Understanding Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea","author":"admin","date":"15\/07\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Why every massage therapist should know the symptoms of Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/ballet-3057473_640.jpg?fit=640%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/ballet-3057473_640.jpg?fit=640%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/ballet-3057473_640.jpg?fit=640%2C425&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3822","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3822"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3822\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3829,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3822\/revisions\/3829"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3822"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}