Cancer touch: does the spa industry have a moral compass?

A business leader and founder of ESPA, Sue Harmsworth MBE has dedicated 50 years to the spa and wellness industry.

In 2020, she founded the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) to provide training for therapists and make cancer care part of their professional development.

Here she talks exclusively to European Spa about how the spa and wellness industry can step up to serve those living with cancer.

“I’m dedicated to educating therapists to ensure spa guests experience the very best care and support, at every stage of their cancer journey,” says Harmsworth.

“The medical processes associated with having cancer can be lonely and isolating. Therapists can offer the incomparable power of touch to support those who are vulnerable and needing care.”

The power of touch

“Being able to offer restorative, hands-on therapy is a hugely positive, heartfelt action; it’s empowering. It’s also the right thing to do; now is the time for the spa industry to step up.

“It’s widely reported that one in two people will get cancer in their lifetime. Worldwide, cancer in under 50s is up 80 per cent in three decades.

“This industry must check in with our moral compass – cancer touch therapy is something we should all offer.”

The effect of changing legislation on spas

“The Equality Act now recognises cancer as a disability. This moves the dial when it comes to supporting spa guests. Not only does it emphasise even further the moral obligation but it’s also a legal obligation, too.

Four things historically stood between spas and their ability to deliver treatments to cancer patients, says Harmsworth – fear, awareness, training and insurance.

“The SATCC has now united incredible training providers, who are working to ease fears and dispel myths, alongside specialist insurers, to enable therapists to practise oncology touch treatments with confidence,” she says.

Empowering spa therapists

“Many of our therapists are young. They care deeply, but they lack life skills, emotional intelligence and confidence.

“Touch for cancer is such a powerful tool and adequately training our therapists to offer it gives them authority. Our industry’s success depends upon our therapists having adequate skills.

“But here’s the critical thing; short courses aren’t good enough – anything less than an NVQ Level Three entry point training and you’re exposing therapists to greater risk.

Next steps for the SATCC

“We would love to get more training providers on board. By gaining SATCC approval you join a community of industry experts who are setting the gold standard for oncology in spa and wellness.

“The journey to changing that narrative is underway, but it needs to go further. Let’s get behind this as an industry, to ensure wellness therapies are an option for those dealing with cancer.”

For a list of SATCC-approved training providers click here.

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