“After treatment for breast cancer, women have physical and psychological needs to which the properties of thermal water and thermal treatments provide solutions”, informs Christophe Teerlinck, psychologist in charge of the “Resources and You” program for post-cancer treatment at the Grands Thermes de la Bourboule.
“At the physical level, spa treatment has benefits for the skin. It improves the dryness of the skin, which is a side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Burns due to radiotherapy can also be relieved by thermal water. Finally, the combined effect of thermal water and physiotherapy promotes better healing”, he indicates.
Approved phlebology centers can treat arm lymphedema, frequent complication after an operation or radiotherapy.
On the emotional level, the cure offers women a break of 3 weeks to disconnect, recharge. “This is an aspect that is very often underlined by post-breast cancer patients, they tell us that it did them good to get a change of air, to take advantage of natureunderlines the psychologist. It is also an opportunity to project oneself in a positive way after the treatment”, he indicates.
The PACTHE study (published in 2013) conducted by two French oncologists showed a lasting improvement in the quality of life in women treated in spas in the immediate aftermath of their breast cancer.
How is a post-cancer spa treatment carried out?
Spa treatment after cancer can only take place if the cancer is in remission. Post-breast cancer spa treatments include daily spa treatments with massages performed by a physiotherapist coupled with psychological support, nutrition consultations, physical activity programs, workshops with a socio-esthetician… Can also be offered from sophrology sessionsart therapy, music therapy…
Post-cancer spa treatment: what treatment?
Post-cancer spa treatments are fully covered by social security for women on ALD after breast cancer when several conditions are met:
- the thermal establishment must be approved by the Health Insurance,
- your doctor must provide you with a medical prescription,
- you must do at least 3 weeks of treatment (18 days of treatment)
- and make a statement of resources and a claim for social security.
However, theComplementary care is not always reimbursed by social security. Check with your health insurance fund. Other shorter cures (6 or 12 days) can also be carried out in certain spas, but are not covered by Social Security.
“A physical and psychological benefit”, the testimony of Christine, 52 years old
“I had my first spa treatment after breast cancer in 2016 (which recurred in 2018) at La Roche-Posay and have since had a spa treatment every year, at La Roche-Posay then at La Bourboule. came up with this idea when I heard patients talking about spa treatments in the center where I was treated.
What brought me? Physical and moral well-being. Spa treatments with physiotherapy did me a lot of good for the scars after my first intervention. I really saw the difference, it was amazing! My skin has become very soft again. All the conferences on cancer, post-cancer allowed me to take stock of what I had experienced and to move forward. The sports and sophrology sessions helped me to evacuate, to know how to breathe well. The effects are really long lasting. I did a three-week cure last September and it eliminated my pain until March, like during my other cures. Women who have had breast cancer really need to be informed of the existence of these spa treatments!”
examples of post-breast cancer spa treatments (18-day cures):
- Thermal baths of La Bourboule
- Thermal baths of Evaux-les-Bains
- Thermal baths of Néris-les-Bains
- Vichy thermal baths
- Thermal chain of the sun
Read also:
- Testimonial: “My diagnosis has found a form and a reason to exist”
- Chemotherapy: how to limit the loss of nails and eyelashes?
- Chemotherapy: the cooling helmet, how does it work?
- Breast cancer: 6 symptoms not to be overlooked