post-cancer
cure
WHO IS IT FOR?
The La Roche-Posay Thermal Centre welcomes patients who have skin after effects from cancer treatment. More than 20,000 people have come for this reason since 2007. The post-cancer spa treatment is a therapeutic approach which boosts skin and psychological recovery after cancer treatment.
They are mainly breast cancer, gynaecological, ENT and digestive cancers, skin cancer with major exereses, the aftermath of leukaemia (in particular post-transplant VGH, and all types of cancers whose treatments have resulted in damaged skin and pain : scars, skin dryness, oedema, mobility, pain, etc.).
Since 2018, the post-cancer cure is also open to children and teenagers (leukemia, lymphoma...).
INDICATIONS
AFTER SURGERY
(Removal of lymph nodes, removal of the breast, plastic reconstruction, etc.)
- Hypertrophic, retractile, painful scar
- Mild, chronic or residual lymphoedema (arms or legs)
- Associated loss of functional mobility
- Peripheral neuropathy, tingling
- Preparation and follow-up of breast reconstruction
BENEFITS
Accelerated healing, softening, reduction of fibrosis and adhesions
Improvement of veno-lymphatic circulation
AFTER RADIOTHERAPY
- Erythema, desquamation, keratoses, dermal sclerosis, chronic radiodermatitis
- Telangiectasias (vascular dilation of the skin or eyes)
- Pigmentation disorders
- Oral and/or genital mucositis, hyposialia (lack of saliva), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing and deglutition)
benefits
Improved skin suppleness and skin revitalisation
Rehydratation and soothing of mucous membranes
POST CHEMOTHERAPY
- Bloodstream administration or oral medication: adjuvant, targeted therapy, maintenance chemotherapy
- Persistent dryness of the skin and mucous membranes (oral, digestive, genital)
- Folliculitis, skin fissures, nail perionyxis*
- Pruritus, tightness
- Palmoplantar syndrome, acneiform dermatitis
benefits
Rehydratation and skin suppleness
Soothing of mucous membranes
Nail repair
Improvement of scalp and regrowth
GENERAL STATE OF THE PATIENT RELATED TO THE END OF THE TREATMENTS:
- Fatigue, anxiety about remission
- Loss of self-image
- The need to take care of one's body differently: water, a comforting, enveloping, soft element.
- The need to share one's experience with other patients, other struggles (not only cancer patients).
The cure is the intermediary stage between the hospital “cocoon" and the "solitude of returning home”.
MUCOUS MEMBRANE DISORDERS
Cancer treatments sometimes cause oral lesions. This is why we offer a double orientation: dermatology + oral mucous membrane disorders. The added treatment of the oral sphere helps to reduce the inflammation of the gums, and regain comfort when swallowing.
A prescription is required by your doctor for this treatment.
during the prescription time
Thermal treatments
The thermal treatments are made exclusively with La Roche-Posay water. They are given daily in the thermal baths and consist of 4 main stages: the filiform shower, the bath, the massage under thermal water and the thermal spray. Oral care, drink or rehydrating treatments can be added as required.
Filiform shower
Provided daily by the thermal doctor, it provides a deep massage of the dermis and a softening of the epidermis. It allows a delicate cleansing, and/or a stripping and anti-pruritic action.
Local or general baths
The bath has a relaxing, moisturizing and emollient action. When it is air-gaseous (with compressed air bubbles) it reduces itching.
Underwater thermal massage
The thermal doctor will prescribe 9 or 18 underwater massages performed by a physiotherapist, depending on your needs. The objective is to improve your scars, your mobility and your body drainage. SCAR MASSAGE BY SUCTION CUP, The DermaMouv Thermal® designed by our team of physiotherapists may be used. This innovative and registered technique integrates the protocol of dermatological massage under a thermal water ramp, silicone suction cups adapting perfectly to the stiffest and most adherent scars.
Local spray
Local shower (facial or perineal). A mist of thermal water is delicately deposited on the epidermis and generates a soothing, emollient and healing action on the face and the ocular, nasal, oral or perineal mucous membranes.
General shower
Shower cabins diffuse thermal water filtered by a sieve over the whole body. The general spray allows a soothing and healing action on the skin.
Oral care
Particularly recommended in case of localized manifestations of dermatosis or chronic gingivitis problems (double orientation to be specified on your registration).
The gingival shower cleans and irrigates the gums.
The mouth spray allows a moisturizing mist of the entire oral and pharyngeal sphere.
Drink cure
A particularly diuretic and detoxifying light water. Essential supplement for its selenium intake and its regulatory effect on the immune system.
Complementary moisturizing care
These unsupported complementary treatments will soothe and rehydrate the skin. (Registration at the thermal reception only).
The dermatological enveloping: for complete rehydration of the body.
The soothing mask: for complete rehydration of the face.
Testimonials
of our curists
La Roche-Posay Thermal Centre logo
[The video opens with soft piano music. We discover aerial views of the town of La Roche-Posay and the surrounding nature, then the title of the video appears: the post-cancer cure LA ROCHE-POSAY]
Map of France showing the location of La Roche-Posay.
[Then, in a green environment, we see Carole, a curist, who comes for treatment post breast cancer. We also see shots of massages given by Vanessa, a physiotherapist at the spa].
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2017.
I had a mammectomy in June 2017, as well as radiation until September 2017."
[We meet Martine, also a curist, who has come to treat the effects of breast cancer. She is in one of the make-up areas of the Pink Pavilion, and while she talks, we see alternating shots of her treatments: a bubble bath and also a make-up session (offered as part of the support care].
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer just over a year ago. And then I had the whole chemo and radiotherapy protocol."
[In the same leafy environment, we see Catherine, also a curist, who has come to treat the after-effects of breast cancer. While she speaks, we see shots of the thermal centre’s physiotherapist administering massages and the spraying treatment].
"A little over a year ago, I discovered a lump in my right breast. And the knife fell on 12 May."
[Martine speaks]
"Before taking a new course of action, and go forwards with reconstruction, I came to La Roche Posay for treatment."
[Carole speaks]
"In the morning, I start with the filiform shower. Then I go to the spray cabin."
[Catherine speaks]
"I think the spray is the best thing here because the girls tell us to massage our scalp at the same time. It detoxifies through drainage, which for regrowth, is the best thing."
[Martine speaks]
"And the bubble bath is very relaxing. You finish in such a calm state! "
[Vanessa speaks]
"A physiotherapy session for someone who has had a lumpectomy or mastectomy is really important, and you need to take the time to understand their expectations. It could be, for example, being able to sleep again on the side of the breast that has been operated on, it could also be preparing the skin for a possible reconstruction."
[Carole speaks]
"And since I've been here, with the physiotherapy massages, I can now raise my arm vertically, something I couldn't do before."
[Catherine speaks]
"During the whole illness, we still have to manage daily life in addition to the treatments and all that. So we take a lot upon ourselves. Being here allows us to enter a well-being bubble, and think only of ourselves. It's a luxury, almost like a reward.”
[Carole speaks]
"Even though I haven’t gone through reconstruction yet, I'm already thinking of coming back because it feels really good. It's relaxing and the skin really improves day after day."
[Catherine speaks]
"I don't regret coming. You meet beautiful people, and the people here are very different, especially in La Roche-Posay."
[Finally, we see Carole and Martine, sitting in the sun in the garden of the Pavillon des Sources, having a drink and an ice cream].
[Carole speaks]
[The video ends with a text stating:
'Repair and replenish : take care of your skin and yourself in La Roche-Posay'.
This thermal cure is covered by social security – contact your doctor].
Logo of the Thermal Centre
[Website address : www.centrethermal.laroche-posay.fr]
Our post-cancer thermal cure
complementary cares
Complementary to the benefits of thermal treatments, these treatments offer a global course. They allow you to find a better quality of life on a daily basis.
