Action Cancer has been at the forefront of the movement to offer complementary treatments to cancer patients and their family members in tandem with conventional therapy. Complementary therapy services offered to clients at Action Cancer House include reflexology, Indian head massage, touch therapy and yoga. If you are affected by a cancer diagnosis and wish to take advantage of the free treatments please ring 028 9080 3344 and a therapist will discuss your needs with you.

Our work in this area reflects the pioneering and innovative work and initiatives originating in Britain and the USA to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. The therapies are offered in a specially designed treatment room which, reflects the restful and restorative qualities the treatments invoke.

"Cancer patients have found that aromatherapy and reflexology treatments improve their quality of life. The most commonly quoted response to the treatment is that it has improved the quality of their sleep. Patients also say that because they are given a time to relax, entirely to themselves, it helps them cope with their other treatments" explained therapist Marita McMullan.

"They say they come away with a feeling of well being and look forward to their next treatment - a response unusual in cancer patients! As a therapist, this is a most rewarding aspect of the job", she said.

In an effort to develop complementary therapy services for cancer patients in Northern Ireland, Action Cancer has funded a complementary therapy co-ordinator post, based at Belfast City Hospital Trust. Services are offered both at Belfast City Hospital and the Gerard Lynch Centre, Belvoir Park Hospital.

Co-ordinator, Lyn Lamont, will be looking at ways of developing the service at the other main cancer units in Northern Ireland and for this reason is looking for therapists who wish to volunteer their services and undergo training to help cancer patients. Anyone interested should ring her on 028 9069 9069. The training provides therapists with the knowledge to assess and treat cancer patients at all stages of their medical treatment.