Why Oncology Aesthetics is the Future of Compassionate Skin Therapy

Cancer is a word no one wants to hear, but one that’s increasingly part of the lives of many Australians. With rates rising every year, the ripple effects extend well beyond hospitals and into unexpected spaces, such as spas, beauty clinics, and wellness centres.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the number of new cancer cases diagnosed in Australia has nearly doubled over the last two decades, from approximately 88,000 in 2000 to an estimated 169,000 in 2024. That number is projected to surpass 200,000 by 2034.

The Cancer Council reports that almost one in two Australian men and women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. A large portion of this increase is due to population growth and ageing—cancer rates are highest in those aged 85–89 years. With people living longer and cancer treatment outcomes improving, more Australians are not only surviving cancer but living with the long-term effects of treatment.

Imagine this…

You’ve been through months of chemotherapy. Your skin is dry. Your body is tired. And your spirit feels fragile. You finally work up the courage to step into a spa, hoping for a moment of peace, a glimmer of normalcy, a reminder of who you were before all this. But instead of a warm welcome, you’re told they can’t treat you, that it’s too risky. Cancer patients aren’t safe for facials.

You leave feeling worse than when you arrived.

This heartbreaking moment plays out far too often. For years, skin professionals have been taught to say no. Not out of cruelty, but out of fear. Fear of harming someone. Fear of doing the wrong thing. Fear of not knowing what’s safe.

But oncology aesthetics is not about curing cancer. It’s about showing up. It’s about creating a safe, sacred space where clients in treatment or recovery feel human again, where every touch is guided by understanding, where care is customised, intentional and deeply healing.

With the proper training and products, facials can still be safe, soothing, and incredibly healing.

A Growing Need for Oncology-Aware Beauty Professionals

For those living with cancer, the journey is often long, emotional, and physically taxing. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy don’t just take a toll on the body—they dramatically impact the skin. Clients may experience dryness, flaking, inflammation, rashes, pigmentation, thinning skin, and increased sensitivity.

In many cases, their skin is fragile and reactive to common ingredients and standard protocols. Unfortunately, traditional beauty services aren’t always designed with these changes in mind. Without specific training, beauty therapists may unintentionally cause harm or discomfort, even with the best intentions. That’s why oncology aesthetics is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Oncology-trained skin therapists are equipped to safely and compassionately treat clients during and after cancer therapy. These professionals understand not only the science of cancer and its treatments, but also the emotional weight that clients often carry. They create a safe, nurturing space where skin health, comfort, and human connection take centre stage.

And that’s where two remarkable women step in.

Christine Clinton and Joanne Berry: Rewriting the Story

Christine Clinton and Joanne Berry are changing the landscape of beauty and wellness for clients living with cancer. With more than six decades of combined experience, they’ve made it their mission to ensure no one is turned away from care when they need it most.

Christine has spent over 35 years working globally in the wellness industry. She’s a practitioner, educator and the founder of Clinton Cancer Care and Wellness for Life. Her programs don’t just teach therapists what to avoid; they show them how to truly support clients going through cancer with customised treatments, deep compassion and thoughtful touch.

Her award-winning oncology education combines skincare, massage, lymphatic techniques, and energy work, empowering professionals to care for individuals with complex needs.

Joanne, a beloved spa educator and founder of the Wellness Education Hub, brings another layer to this partnership. With a career spanning luxury spa brands, international training, and an unwavering passion for therapist development, Joanne’s leadership has helped reshape the industry’s approach to wellness. She was recognised as American Spa’s Educator and Trainer of the.

Together, Christine and Joanne are unstoppable.

In 2024, they formalised their collaboration with the launch of the Oncology Skin Specialist Program in partnership with Circadia Skincare, a brand known for science-led innovation and its commitment to supporting professionals in delivering real, gentle results.

A Program with Purpose

Now available to Australian therapists, this hybrid training is redefining what is possible in professional skincare. The program equips beauty therapists with the education, protocols and empathy to safely treat clients affected by cancer, both during and after treatment.

The curriculum includes:

• Understanding how cancer affects the body and skin

• Navigating the effects of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy

• Oncology-safe skincare and ingredient awareness

• Customised facial and body protocols for compromised skin

• Emotional support and holistic wellness practices

Participants begin with online theory at their own pace, then join an optional hands-on, in-person training to build confidence and skill in delivering this specialised care. It’s not just about adapting facials; it’s about human connection.

More Than Skin Deep

Cancer doesn’t just change the body. It changes identity. And when a client enters your clinic mid-treatment, they aren’t just looking for a product, they’re looking for peace. They want to feel safe. They want to be touched gently. They want to feel normal.

A caring cleanse can feel like being seen. A quiet moment in a treatment room can feel like medicine. And for many, your hands may be the first kind and comforting touch they’ve received in a long time.

“Imagine walking into your treatment room knowing you have the skills to care for someone’s compromised skin and to offer them comfort, hope, and healing during one of the most challenging times in their life,” Christine says.

“This program is more than just a certification; it’s a calling. It’s your opportunity to make a profound impact, one client at a time.”

Looking Ahead

Christine Clinton and Joanne Berry will be keynote speakers at Circadia Elevate Australia on August 16, 2025, held at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park. They’ll share their insights, stories, and vision with Australian professionals ready to elevate their practice into something more potent than just treatment - connection.

This is our moment to lead with empathy. To say yes when others say no. To welcome clients when they feel most alone. And to turn our industry into a space that heals not just the skin, but the soul.

With Christine, Joanne and Circadia lighting the path forward, we can all be part of something extraordinary.

Because in the end, beauty is not just what we do, it’s how we make people feel.

That’s why the Oncology Skin Specialist Program matters. It’s not about what we can’t do—it’s about what we can. We can support, soothe, and strengthen. We can be a gentle, healing presence. We can help people feel beautiful again, inside and out.

@christine.a.clinton @jojoberrywellness