Can Patients with Cancer Holiday at Turkish Baths, Saunas and Hot Springs?

Patients with cancer and Turkish baths

Popular winter holiday destinations include hotels with hot springs, thermal pools, Turkish baths and saunas. These warm environments make many people feel good; however, people with cardiovascular conditions, urinary tract diseases or open wounds are generally advised to avoid them. Can people with cancer spend their winter holidays at Turkish baths, saunas and thermal hotels?

Any travel during cancer treatment involves certain risks and difficulties. Good planning can minimize these. Each patient’s general condition and circumstances should be assessed together with their doctor.

In brief, issues to assess with your doctor include:

1. Your current physical condition (overall condition, extreme fatigue, severity of symptoms..)
2. Is your trip compatible with your current treatment?
3. What distance do you plan to travel? Will it be a difficult journey?
4. Conditions to consider if you will travel by plane (see our related article)
5. The medicines and quantities you need to take with you. If you take morphine-containing painkillers, special arrangements may be needed.
6. Requesting and arranging supplemental oxygen if you need it during the day or at night.
7. If you need medical help, which healthcare facility is available at your destination?
8. Platelets are blood cells that help your blood clot. Cancer treatment may lower platelet counts. For flight safety, your platelet count needs to be at a certain level. You will need to check this with your doctor.

Benefits of Thermal Holidays for Patients with Cancer

• Illness and treatment are psychologically exhausting, and these holiday options can help people relax and rest.
• Enjoyable time can be spent away from the home and hospital where patients usually spend their time.

Risks of Thermal Holidays for Patients with Cancer

• After treatment, fatigue is a common symptom, and spending time in hot environments such as thermal waters or Turkish baths may cause greater fatigue.
• Infection risk increases in these environments, which many people come into contact with.
• Diarrhea may occur.
• Pain, weakness or physical discomfort such as postoperative problems may increase.

In recent years, we have also seen the concept of thermal therapy become popular in our country. It is important to emphasize that thermal therapy has no effect on cancer or tumors. Thermal therapies are not considered hyperthermia because they neither heat the tumor locally nor increase core body temperature (in other words, they do not cause fever).

In conclusion, no general rule can state that patients with cancer may or may not use Turkish baths, saunas and hot springs; this is an issue each patient should assess together with their doctor.