My first step in educating others about cancer awareness was to become educated myself. Last fall, I attended a three day intensive to gain my certification as a Clinical Oncology Aesthetician through Touch For Cancer. Oncology Aesthetics is a synthesis of aesthetic and medical knowledge. The safety and comfort of the client is always the first priority.
I now volunteer services through the local cancer treatment center in my community. Recently, I donated gift certificates to Relay For Life cancer survivors. I was asked to speak at a monthly meeting of the Area Agency on Aging and hope to have more speaking engagements. Since my certification, my clients have expressed an interest in knowing more and I have been able to pass along information to them.
I offer an oncology aesthetic treatment at a reduced fee/sliding scale to those individuals in treatment and recovery. There are many factors to be considered when working with this clientele-there are changes at the dermal and lymphatic level that require real shifts in your treatment protocol. I encourage aestheticians around the country to obtain certification to provide a safe and comfortable treatment for the client with cancer or recovering from cancer. They appreciate it so much!
Joy Freeman, LE, CMES, COE
Skin Renew
Pueblo, Colo.