If skin and nails are affected: how oncological podiatry can help those affected
The number of cancer cases is rising – and with it the need for qualified, supportive care. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy often take a heavy toll on the skin and nails. This is where oncological podiatry can make a significant contribution: it alleviates health problems and gives patients a new quality of life amidst the demands of daily treatment.
Targeted further training is essential so that professionals can meet these growing demands. The RUCK Academy provides practical specialisation that combines theory, medical history and skin diagnostics – and qualifies podiatrists and foot care professionals to provide sensitive care for cancer patients.
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In an interview, Kerstin Schmid-Siklic, specialist lecturer and developer of the ONKOPED® method, reveals more about the challenges and opportunities of this sensitive treatment. In the interview, she explains what is important when maintaining care for oncology patients, what risks exist – and why further training in this area is not only practical but essential.
At first glance, the bond between oncology and podiatry seems unusual. Why should more attention be paid to this area?
The number of cancer cases is rising steadily – in Germany alone, there are currently around 500,000 new cases each year*. The diagnosis is often accompanied by skin and nail conditions triggered or reinforced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This makes qualified oncological podiatry essential. Not only does it make an important contribution to prevention and care, but it also improves the quality of life for those affected.
* Source: www.krebsdaten.de According to estimates by the ZfKD, a total of around 504,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Germany in 2022.
Was there a personal or professional trigger that motivated you to champion oncological podiatry and beauty products?
The crucial trigger was a case of cancer in my family. I still remember exactly the feeling of helplessness when it came to managing skin and nail disorders that occurred as a side effect of the treatment. Neither the clinic nor the dermatologists had any experience in this area – nobody could help us. The statement: “It will be better again after the last cycle of chemo” did not satisfy me. When a long-standing regular client came to me following a bilateral mastectomy (removal of both breasts), I realised just how urgently specialised care was needed in podiatry and beauty. That’s when I understood my mission to provide specialised care. That was the moment I discovered my calling in this field.
How do patients respond to the offer of oncological podiatry – and what is the level of acceptance among doctors and oncology specialists?
Whilst demand was still rather tentative a few years ago, the situation is entirely different today: oncological podiatry is highly valued – both by patients and by specialists and oncology nurses. Renowned doctors such as Dr Karsten Gnauert, Chief Physician at the Gynaecological Clinic in Aalen, and the team at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz are among the active advocates of oncological skin and nail treatment.
What especially specific requirements does skin care for people with cancer entail?
Skin care for cancer patients requires especially careful attention. Every form of treatment brings with it different side effects – ranging from dryness to severe skin irritation. Therefore, care must always be tailored individually to the respective treatment plan. A tried-and-tested principle is: less is often more. Gentle, non-irritating products and a sensitive approach are always the focus.
What effects do chemotherapy or radiotherapy – particularly cytostatic drugs – have on the skin and nails?
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy do not only attack cancer cells. They can also have an effect on the skin, mucous membranes and nails. These include dryness, redness or itching. The nails may become brittle, discoloured or ridged – in extreme cases, the nail can be lost. These side effects are due to the use of cytostatic drugs, which inhibit cell division and thereby also impair the growth of skin and nail cells.
The burden of cancer is large. Can professional skin and podiatry care nevertheless offer a ray of hope for patients?
Empathy plays a crucial role in cancer aftercare. In doctors’ surgeries or clinics, there is often a lack of experience and specialist knowledge to address side effects affecting the skin and nails in detail. This is precisely where oncological skin and podiatry can make a difference: it not only provides practical help with health problems, but also restores a sense of normality and well-being to patients. For many, it so that it truly becomes a ray of hope – and an important addition – to the challenging daily routine of treatment!
Podiatrists are trained to deal with high-risk patients. Why, then, is an additional qualification still practical for the treatment of cancer patients?
The treatment of cancer patients presents podiatrists with especially difficult challenges. Additional specialist knowledge is indispensable here. Therapies and medications are constantly evolving, leading to new side effects. Certain cytostatic drugs, such as docetaxel, can, for example, cause neuropathies or what is known as foot and nail syndrome. Such complex conditions require specialised learning and continuous professional development to provide safe and effective care for patients.
What content do you cover in your courses at the RUCK Academy?
Practical relevance is highly important to me, although theory is not neglected either. Participants receive a thorough introduction to oncology, along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as the use of cytostatic drugs. The focus is on the effects of the therapy on the skin, mucous membranes and nails. Working with medical history and skin diagnostics is especially practical. Here, participants learn how to create an individual skincare plan that is precisely tailored to the patient’s needs.
With the ONKOPED® method, you have developed a specialised treatment for oncological podiatry. What is behind it?
The ONKOPED® method is a specialised concept for oncological podiatry that I developed. It encompasses both preventive actions and acute care for cancer patients – before, during and after treatment. The aim is to alleviate skin problems, ensure nail health and, at the same time, boost mental well-being. So that the quality of life of those affected can be noticeably improved, this method can be used.
Treating cancer patients requires tact and sensitivity – including in conversation. How is this topic covered in your training?
Well, you brought this up. In my courses, we discuss in detail the emotional cycles that cancer patients go through entirely differently. I also provide a special advanced course on what is known as ‘balance counselling’. Whilst this supportive and advisory work does not replace psycho-oncological care in the clinic, it is an important addition. Its aim is to give you conversation techniques and guidance that can help you support patients with empathy and give them greater confidence in their daily lives.
What developments would you like to see for the future of oncological podiatry – particularly in terms of research, consultation and recognition within the healthcare system?
For the future of oncological podiatry, I would particularly like to see more information provided directly within hospitals. Patients should be made aware at an early stage that there are specially trained foot care professionals and beauty professionals who can support them. Instead, medical staff need a deeper understanding of the treatment-related changes to the skin and nails. In addition, knowledge of prevention and supportive care should be more strongly integrated into training and practice. Then interdisciplinary consultation can be further expanded and oncological podiatry established as an integral part of care in the long term.
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