Breast Care (breast cancer and beyond)

Amoena

For over 47 years, Amoena has supported women worldwide at all steps of a breast cancer journey with their extensive line of post-surgical garments, bras, swimwear, and breast-shaping products.

Did you know that having a correctly fitted bra can also prevent a lot of the pain and discomfort women experience in the neck, shoulders and back due to natural or surgical imbalances?

Retailers all across Ontario carry Amoena products. You can go in person to get an accurate fitting, explore their options and ask any questions.

Breast self-exam

Image source: Instagram @amoena_canada

Did you know that "approximately 50% of cases of breast cancer in women 50 years and older and 71% of cases of breast cancer in women younger than 50 years are detected by women themselves"? (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, July 2017).⁣
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Although no longer recommended by some health care practitioners due to issues with reliability (i.e. not all lumps are cancerous and require interventions like surgery),  the frequency of self-detection for breast cancer indicates that self breast-exam is one of the most helpful things you can do for your own breast health.⁣

Palliative Care

Christine Sutherland - "Dying in Good Hands"

Massage provides a myriad of benefits to those in palliative care, including but not limited to:

• preventing pressure sores
• lessening physical pain
• creating tangible connections between the massager and the massaged
• aiding in digestion
• aiding the respiratory system (e.g. aiding in loosening and expelling accumulating fluids)
• improving circulation
• providing comfort and relaxation

Due to issues surrounding consent, RMTs are often unable to directly treat individuals in palliative care or disabled individuals who are not physically or mentally capable of providing consent.

However, the trusted loved ones and family members of an individual in palliative care can be educated and taught by an RMT on how to provide massage and a comforting touch.

Christine Sutherland has devoted her life to that - teaching the family members and friends of individuals in palliative care how to provide hands-on care and support to their loved ones - even if they have never massaged before.

Christine's book "Dying in Good Hands" puts massage skills in the hands of everyone who wishes to help dying or disabled loved ones.