QE tries cancer therapy

Graeme Simpson and Mary Crane of QE Health speak highly of the new Wellness for Cancer treatment programme. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

QE Health have welcomed the start of a new programme tailored to help people with cancer during their treatment and recovery.

Wellness for Cancer offers a wide range of holistic therapies specifically designed to work in conjunction with mainstream medical treatments and assist recovery.

QE Health marketing and communications manager Graeme Simpson says he is very excited about the Wellness for Cancer treatments having accessed similar holistic treatments while he was undergoing treatment for throat cancer in 2013.

"I went through a programme when I was recuperating from cancer which was designed specifically around Pilates and physiotherapy and massage, but they were spread out over town. These treatments are now available under the one roof right here at QE. Wellness is the key to QE Health - it's a wellness centre and health spa, so the decision was made to expand that to people who are going through cancer to provide specifically tailored programmes for people at different stages of their cancer journey."

Graeme says Wellness for Cancer has come out of a programme being run in the United States.

"Each member of the team has undergone specific training and while there are other places around Rotorua that offer support and other programmes for cancer patients, QE Health is the only accredited Wellness for Cancer centre in New Zealand. We take a very holistic approach, offering massage, beauty treatments, psychology, counselling, and fitness programmes, all tailored to each individual and what it is that they are needing."

QE Health professional advisor and Wellness for Cancer team leader Mary Crane says there is no reason for anyone not to be able to receive a massage.

"Therapists just need to know when to adapt their treatment techniques and pressure to suit where the client is at in the present moment, especially with cancer. No one should be denied the opportunity for nurturing touch. We are the first in NZ to have completed the Wellness for Cancer training and now have a specialist cancer massage and cosmetic therapy team. Cancer doesn't just affect the person with cancer; it affects the whole family. Carers have a physically and emotionally demanding job and need to be looked after as well."

Graeme says he wants to encourage everyone diagnosed with cancer to make the most of the treatments on offer.

"One of the things I heard when I was having these sorts of treatments and when I was recuperating was that women were embracing the programme, while men were very reluctant. I want to encourage both women and men to take every opportunity that is presented to them when it comes to helping them get through it all," he says.
"I'm so glad I did it because it got me back on my feet and also got me back on my bike, ahead of schedule."