Now cancer patient threatens to sue spa for denying her beauty treatment
SPAS across Britain could be breaking the law by turning cancer patients away, it was claimed yesterday.
Employment lawyer Jo Mackie, 50, is taking legal action against Center Parcs after being refused a manicure and massage because she had had breast cancer.
The solicitor instructed to represent her is investigating whether spas could be in breach of the Equality Act for using ‘blanket rules’ to discriminate against cancer patients or those who have had the disease.
Scores of people contacted the Mail yesterday after this paper reported how up to 70 per cent of British spas could be turning cancer patients away – despite medics saying the practice was based on ‘junk science’.
Mrs Mackie, a mother of one from south London, went to Center Parcs at Longleat in Wiltshire to celebrate her 50th birthday with friends.
But despite having already told staff of her medical history, once there she was told she could not be treated.
She said: ‘I was turned away when I ticked their little box which said, “Have you had cancer in the last two years?”. I said, “This is ridiculous”, they said, “Really sorry, we are not trained to treat people with cancer”.’
When the onsite nurse allegedly told the spa manager there was no medical reason to turn Mrs Mackie away, the spa still refused.
Mrs Mackie said: ‘I came home early, took it from there and I’m suing them.’
Center Parcs last night said the Longleat spa had changed its policy. But Mrs Mackie is determined to prevent others suffering the same indignity. She added: ‘I would love it if other people with cancer would join this and fight this discrimination.
‘It’s not about money, it’s about the principle. I won’t be discriminated against because I had breast cancer.’
Anna Mazzola, the solicitor leading the case, said spas that refuse treatment to customers because they have – or have had – cancer may commit unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
She added: ‘These spas seem to be treating cancer patients and former patients worse than other people in a similar situation.
‘They are directly discriminating against them.’ Mrs Mazzola said that a company can only justify discrimination if it can provide a proper explanation, adding: ‘From what we can work out, there is no medical justification for applying this blanket policy. It’s having a terrible impact.’
Christine MacGregor, 61, is among those who wrote to the Mail. She was turned away from a Marriott hotel in Glasgow after chemotherapy for breast cancer.
She said: ‘The reason given was that the oils they use can seep into the body and interfere with treatment. I said, “That’s absolute nonsense”.
‘At this point I was completely bald, felt bad about myself... my daughter thought it would be a nice treat. It’s hard enough. You have the fear of “Will I survive?”, you feel a lack of femininity – then they make you feel worse.’
Another woman, who was turned away by a spa more than a decade ago after having throat cancer, said: ‘I have carried the stigma and humiliation since 2004. I have never forgotten this one episode.’ Sharon Leeson, 55, from Upminster, Essex, felt the same shame. Three years after the rejection, she, wrote: ‘It wasn’t until I was on the couch with a towel over me that someone came in to say they couldn’t give me a massage until I’d been cancer free for five years or show a letter from my GP.’
The charity Breast Cancer Care called for more understanding. Senior clinical nurse specialist Rachel Rawson said: ‘There is no evidence to support the myth that massages spread cancer. However, it’s important to seek medical advice before planning a spa visit and check with the spa.’
Center Parcs said: ‘We are sorry to hear about the experience Jo received. We have a range of treatments for guests who have had treatment for cancer, which are delivered by specially trained therapists.’