Oncology Massage Training Ltd

05/03/2026

l CANCER CARE NEW ZEALAND l

Cancer care in Aotearoa New Zealand is shifting, and the latest national data helps us understand what people affected by cancer are experiencing, and what they may bring into the treatment room.

The State of Cancer in New Zealand 2025 (Dec 2025) highlights several important trends.

Key insights:

🔹 More people are surviving cancer. Mortality rates continue to fall, with nearly 3,000 additional New Zealanders surviving cancer each year.
🔹 Large investments are being made in cancer medicines, treatment pathways and facilities.
🔹 Demand is increasing. Over 30,000 new cancer cases are expected in 2025, rising to 45,000+ by 2044.
🔹 Up to half of cancers could be prevented through public health and lifestyle changes — yet NZ still faces high rates of cancer diagnoses made in emergency departments, indicating late-stage detection.
🔹 Survival continues to improve. 67.6% of people now survive at least five years after diagnosis.
🔹 National screening programs remain essential: breast, cervical and bowel cancer.

Why this matters for therapeutic practitioners.

More New Zealanders are living longer with cancer and its treatment effects, meaning more people need safe, oncology-informed therapeutic support.

Oncology massage training helps therapists to:
✔ Provide safe, adaptable, supportive touch
✔ Understand risks, treatment effects and required precautions
✔ Recognise when symptoms may have been left untreated for too long
✔ Refer appropriately and work within safe scope
✔ Support medically complex clients with confidence and clarity

Now more than ever, therapists need the knowledge and clinical awareness to meet the needs of people affected by cancer safely and respectfully.

To read the full report:
🔗 Source — The State of Cancer in New Zealand 2025: https://teaho.govt.nz/index.php/reports-and-numbers/reports/state-cancer-new-zealand-2025

To learn more about oncology massage training:
👉 www.oncologymassagetraining.org.au

As part of our ongoing work to provide oversight of cancer control, we published The State of Cancer in New Zealand 2025 | He Pūrongo Mate Pukupuku o Aotearoa 2025 (the 2025 report), alongside a companion Insights and Summary Report and an online data dashboard. The 2025 report provides an evide...

05/03/2026

l WORLD LYMPHOEDEMA DAY - 6 MARCH l

Today we acknowledge the millions of people worldwide living with lymphoedema. Whether related to cancer treatment, surgery, radiation, lymph node removal, or other medical conditions.

At Oncology Massage Training Ltd, supporting people with lymphoedema is woven into our evidence-based education. Our programs teach therapists how to safely adapt massage when lymphoedema is present or when a client is at increased risk. This includes understanding:
• Treatment effects and lymphatic compromise
• Safe pressure, positioning and pacing
• Red-flag considerations
• Collaborative communication with health teams
• When to refer to qualified lymphoedema practitioners

Therapists trained with OMT learn to work gently, respectfully and within scope. Supporting comfort, connection and ease without overstating outcomes. Our focus is always safety, clinical awareness and compassionate touch for people affected by cancer and complex health conditions.

Today we acknowledge the strength of those living with lymphoedema, and we recognise the clinicians, therapists and educators working to ensure their care is safe, informed and supportive.

If you’re a therapist wanting to build confidence and competence in working with medically complex clients, explore OMT’s nationally standardised training pathway.

Visit www.oncologymassagetraining.com.au for details.

05/03/2026

l NEW 2026 BROCHURES ARE HERE l

Something exciting just arrived in the OMT office…
Our admin team has been unpacking the very first boxes of the new OMT clinic brochures, now available for therapists who have graduated from OM2.

These brochures were created to help you communicate clearly, professionally and confidently with clients who may be living with, or have a history of, cancer. They reflect the same values that guide our training. Safety, clarity, compassion and evidence-based practice.

Why OM2 graduates love having these in their clinics:

✔ Supports informed conversations — helps clients understand what oncology massage is (and isn’t).
✔ Builds trust and credibility — demonstrates your specialist training and commitment to safe care.
✔ Explains adaptations and precautions in language that is gentle, accurate and easy to follow.
✔ Helps referrers feel confident sending medically complex clients to you.
✔ A take-home resource that reinforces your professional messaging.

If you’re an OM2 graduate, you’re now eligible to order brochures for your clinic.

📩 Email us to place an order: info@oncologymassagetraining.com.au

These brochures are designed to strengthen the way you communicate your expertise, and to support safer, more informed access to oncology massage across the community.

02/03/2026

l OM1 SOUTH AUSTRALIA - EARLY BIRD EXTENDED ! l

Oncology informed massage is becoming an essential skill across Australia and New Zealand, and more therapists are realising the importance of having clear, evidence-based training to guide safe practice.

If you’ve been considering starting your oncology massage pathway, the upcoming OM1 South Australia intake is designed to give you the structure, confidence and clinical understanding you need.

This foundation program blends online learning with a supervised in-person practical workshop, helping you translate theory into safe, adaptable hands-on work with people affected by cancer.

💚 OM1 — SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Venue: Sporting Car Club of SA
In-person practical: 2–3 May
E-learning begins: 2 April
Early Bird EXTENDED to 16 March — Save $200

OM1 is ideal for therapists who want to:
✔ Build a solid understanding of cancer and treatment effects
✔ Learn oncology-informed intake and decision-making
✔ Adapt techniques safely for medically complex clients
✔ Strengthen professional clarity and confidence
✔ Begin a nationally standardised oncology massage pathway

If you’re ready to develop a safe, clinically aware approach to working with people affected by cancer, this program is your first step.

Places are limited, and Early Bird pricing now runs until 16 March.

👉 Register now: www.oncologymassagetraining.org.au

27/02/2026

l CANCER COMMUNICATION ESSENTIALS WORKSHOP l

Communication matters just as much as technique when supporting people affected by cancer.
Clear, compassionate conversations help create safety, support informed consent, and strengthen trust in every clinical interaction.

We’re sharing this upcoming Cancer Communication Essentials session, delivered by Cancer Council Victoria, for those who may be interested in deepening their skills in this area. While it is not an OMT run event, the focus on respectful, person centred communication aligns strongly with the values we uphold in oncology massage education.

👉 ONLINE
👉 TUESDAY 3RD MARCH
👉 8 am to 10:30 am AEST

If you’d like to explore or register, you can find further details here:
https://bit.ly/CancerCommunicationWorkshop

Supporting people affected by cancer isn’t only about safe touch. It’s also about the words we choose, the boundaries we honour, and the confidence we bring to complex conversations.

25/02/2026

| CELEBRATING URSULA ESCHENBERG |
Advanced Oncology Massage Practitioner

Recognising professional achievement in oncology informed practice

We are pleased to celebrate Ursula Eschenberg, who has recently commenced as an oncology massage therapist at the Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre at Austin Health.

Ursula first encountered oncology informed touch 16 years ago during her own cancer treatment for ovarian clear cell carcinoma at the Calvary Hospital in Adelaide. Her interest developed into a professional commitment to safe, evidence-based massage for people affected by cancer.

As a member of our 2025 Advanced Program cohort, Ursula expanded her clinical reasoning, safety frameworks and confidence working within supportive care environments. Her progression into this role reflects her dedication to high standards of practice and her thoughtful, client-centred approach.

Ursula shared the following reflection:

“I am thrilled to announce that I was offered and accepted the oncology massage therapist role with Austin Health at the Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre. I absolutely love working here. My training is used every day, from OMT1 and OMT2 through to the Advanced Program hospital training.”

We congratulate Ursula on this achievement and acknowledge the contribution she is now making within a multidisciplinary supportive care setting.

Chat with us today if you're interested in commencing or further developing your career with Oncology Massage. Or visit www.oncologymassagetraining.com.au to learn more.

24/02/2026

l TEAL RIBBON DAY l

Ovarian cancer awareness — 25 February

Today, we honour everyone affected by ovarian cancer and recognise the importance of early awareness, compassionate support and safe, informed care.

The teal ribbon represents:
💚 people living with a diagnosis
💚 those who have died
💚 families, friends and carers
💚 the health practitioners and support teams who offer daily care

For therapists, awareness matters. Understanding treatment effects, fatigue, surgical considerations and the emotional load many clients carry helps us offer safe, gentle and respectful touch.

If you would like to explore more informaton visit the Geelong Medical & Health Group https://www.geelongmedicalgroup.com.au/2025/02/uniting-australia-in-the-fight-against-ovarian-cancer

We hold space today for all who are impacted.

23/02/2026

l OM1 & OM2 PROGRAMS — MAY 2026 |

Registrations Open!

Demand for oncology informed massage continues to grow across Australia and New Zealand. Therapists are seeking clear, evidence-based training that supports safe, confident practice.
Our upcoming OM1 and OM2 program intakes offer a structured, clinically grounded pathway for therapists who want to work safely with people affected by cancer.

Both levels combine e-learning with supervised, in-person practical training to build clinical awareness, refine hands-on adaptations, and strengthen professional confidence.

OM1 — MAY 2026

💚 OM1 — SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Venue: Sporting Car Club of SA
In-person practical: 2–3 May
E-learning commencement: 2 April
Early-bird closes: 2 March — Save $200!

💚 OM1 — WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Venue: Solaris Cancer Care
In-person practical: 16–17 May
E-learning commencement: 16 April
Early-bird closes: 16 March — Save $200!

OM2 — MAY 2026

🧡 OM2 — QUEENSLAND
Venue: SCHOC
In-person practical: 2–4 May
E-learning commencement: 2 April
Early-bird closes: 2 March — Save $200!

🧡 OM2 — NEW ZEALAND
Venue: Mary Potter Hospice, Te Whare Rānui, Porirua, NZ
In-person practical: 15–17 May
E-learning commencement: 15 April
Early-bird closes: 15 March — Save AUD $200!

Who these programs are designed for:

Qualified massage and remedial therapists, myotherapists and other tactile practitioners wanting to:
✔ Understand cancer, treatments and safety considerations
✔ Learn oncology-informed intake, adaptation and decision-making
✔ Safely support medically complex clients
✔ Strengthen clinical reasoning and treatment clarity
✔ Build professional confidence when working with people affected by cancer
✔ Progress through a nationally standardised oncology massage pathway

OM1 and OM2 provide a consistent, evidence-based framework that helps therapists deliver safe, respectful and clinically aware massage in real-world settings:

Whether you’re beginning your oncology-informed practice or expanding your capability, each program strengthens your ability to provide safe, supportive touch for people affected by cancer.

Places are limited and early bird pricing applies until the dates listed.
👉 Register now: www.oncologymassagetraining.org.au

19/02/2026

l THE BREAST DECISION l

A thoughtful conversation worth watching.
The Breast Decision on ABC’s Compass explores the lived experience of breast cancer, personal decision making, and the importance of supportive care throughout treatment.

Safe, skilled, informed touch has a meaningful place in supportive cancer care. This is why we remain committed to training therapists to the highest standards in oncology massage and scar therapy.

🎥 Watch the full 28-minute episode
Start watching the full episode with a free iview.abc account:
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/compass/series/39/video/RN2411H008S00

18/02/2026

| AWARENESS |

Are you a medical professional working in Integrative Cancer Care Australia? Please consider completing this research survey.

Not a medical health professional but know one? Please share this with them and ask them to assist with their experiences.

🫶🏼Are you an Australian woman who has made decisions about breast surgery due to cancer diagnosis or prevention reasons?
👏🏽Do you want to be part of influencing improvements to information shared with future generations of Australian women?

If you answered yes, please show your support by promoting this research project among Australian breast surgeons and cancer care nurses.

❓What do we know?
• We know not all women who undergo a mastectomy for breast cancer or risk reduction will choose to have breast reconstruction.
• We know recommendations aim to support women in making informed decisions based on all available options, including the option of flat closure.
• We know many Australian women undergoing breast surgery report receiving limited information about the flat closure option.

🤔What don’t we know?
We want to learn more about the experiences and attitudes of surgeons and cancer care nurses towards ‘going flat’ after mastectomy. So far, we’ve gathered data from patients in Australia’s breast cancer community, and now we want to balance the perspective with input from healthcare professionals.

All survey responses are anonymous and no identifying information will be collected.

📣What can you do to help?
Share this post with your networks, particularly surgeons and cancer care nurses. Ask them to complete the survey via https://qualtrics.flinders.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_bgyw6ddJVaC9LWC or scan the QR Code on the flyer. A PDF version of the flyer can be downloaded via https://1drv.ms/b/c/429a9720db0ccdd8/IQDR2NWFfA80TJ3jd4-4SWbeAej0CSq2IQAP_TjEpfU9nFc

👩🏽‍🎓Research Team
• Robyn Smith – Consumer advocate, Programs Manager for Inherited Cancers Australia and Co-Founder of Flat Life Australia (https://www.facebook.com/groups/481448050773509)
• Melanie Law – Consumer advocate, Founder of Breastless
• Joanna Atzori – Consumer advocate, Author of UnBreasted
• Dr Fiona Crawford-Williams – Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University

The project has been approved by Flinders University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HEL6305-3).

Thank you in advance to all surgeons and cancer care nurses who share their experiences and attitudes.

18/02/2026

l COLLABORATIONS - WE LOVE THEM! l

We love relationships that strengthen safe, evidence-informed care....and this one is truly special. 💚

This photo, taken at the MMA Conference in Perth last year, captures a wonderful moment with our friend Emma Holly from Restore Scar Therapy. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Emma and joining the Restore Scar Therapy accredited teaching team.

Emma’s leadership in specialist scar therapy has shaped practice worldwide, and together, we’re committed to elevating skills, safety and confidence for therapists supporting people affected by cancer.

Pictured: Tess O’Toole, Emma Holly, Tania Shaw and Anne-Marie Halligan. A team united by shared values, evidence-based education, and a passion for safe, compassionate touch.

Here’s to collaboration, community, and raising the standard of care together. 🙌

16/02/2026

l BECOME A RESTORE ONCOLOGY SCAR SPECIALIST WITH OMT l

NSW registrations are now open!

Specialist scar work in oncology care requires precision, safety, and a deep understanding of how cancer treatments affect tissue healing.
Restore Oncology Scar Specialist training offers an evidence-informed, oncology-focused approach that supports therapists to work safely with scars, fibrosis and common post-surgical changes.

This program is designed for qualified therapists and healthcare professionals seeking advanced, clinically aware skills. It is professional development, not a stand-alone qualification.

What you'll learn:
✔ Evidence-informed scar massage techniques specifically designed for oncology care
✔ How to safely work with radiation-affected tissue, fibrosis and surgical presentations
✔ Practical strategies for supporting comfort, movement and healthy tissue behaviour
✔ A blended model combining clear online theory with supervised in-person skills training

All you need to know:
Venue: Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW
E-Learning starts: 09 April
Welcome Zoom: Thursday, 30 April – 6:30pm (NSW)
In-Person Training: 09 - 10 May
Case Studies Due: 07 June
Final Zoom: 11 June – 6:30pm (NSW)

This course equips you to stand out as an oncology scar specialist, elevate your professional credibility, and support people affected by cancer with safe, skilled, compassionate touch.

To register or learn more visit https://www.oncologymassagetraining.com.au/oncologyscarspecialist