Of the more than women in the group who wore cold caps, only three stopped using the cap during the study because it made them feel too cold.
Some health care providers have been concerned that cold cap therapy could prevent chemotherapy from reaching cancer cells that may be in the scalp, making the chemotherapy less effective. In people who have used cold caps, reports of cancer appearing in the scalp are extremely rare.
More research is needed, however, to clearly understand this potential risk. Another consideration regarding cold caps is the cost. If you are considering using a cold cap while undergoing chemotherapy, check with your insurance provider to see if your policy covers it or if you would have to pay for it yourself. By Liza Torborg. And in July DigniCap received expanded FDA clearance - the system is now approved for men and women with solid tumor cancers not just breast cancer.
DigniCap machines are now being installed in US chemo centers. The DigniCap system involves circulating a very cold gel through a single tight-fitting cap, which is worn for the duration of the chemotherapy session, as well as for a period of time before and after chemo.
For more information, go to www. Their system also involves the circulation of a cold gel through a single tight-fitting cap. Paxman is currently installing their system in US chemo centers. The American doctors conducting the Dignitana trial published a paper in March , reviewing cold cap data from over 4, patients. They concluded that scalp cooling does not pose a risk for scalp metastases. Read the report. Some of the more recent studies are listed below.
Additionally there are links to the websites of the 3 leading cold cap manufacturers, where there is additional info. Also of note, a dedicated former user of Penguin Cold Caps has compiled an extensive bibliography of scalp cooling studies dating back to the 's. We have her permission to share this document, which can be found here. Donate Learn How Help Now.
What is Cold Cap Therapy? Encourage more use of scalp cooling to help reduce CIA, based on its overall positive effect, and because of the success it has had as a supportive care intervention in Europe and Canada and its increasing attention in the United States.
Learn more about scalp cooling to help advance practice changes based on evidence by dispelling existing myths, providing evidence-based education, and advocating for universal access at a reasonable cost". The Caps. Cold Capital Fund - District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia residents only Patients in the defined geography may contact coldcapitalfund gmail.
Cap and Conquer - Southeast Michigan residents only Patients in the defined geography may contact info capandconquer. The Freezers. Lid lock with two keys provided For a picture of this freezer, click here. Tips for Cap Users. Use only cool water in the shower.
Keep hair straight down during chemo; do not bunch or pile on top of your head. Do not use curling irons, electric rollers, or hot air hair dryers. Clinical Trials. Research Some of the more recent studies are listed below. This study identifies significant gaps in physician awareness regarding the possibility of persistent chemotherapy induced alopecia PCIA hair loss lasting beyond six months.
Presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology ESMO , this study tracked women with breast cancer from early to early as they used a scalp cooling system to effectively prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Topics included: the importance of the process to patients, efficacy, safety and more. Watch the Video This ongoing study in Japan is examining the efficacy of the Paxman scalp cooling device among Asian women with breast cancer. They used a European anthracylcine formulation different from that common in the US followed by taxanes in sequential schedule.
View PDF A study of scalp cooling efficacy, reviewing cases from Brazil, concluded that scalp cooling appears to be effective in preventing CIA among breast cancer patients who had chemo; more psychological support and better pain management for patients using scalp cooling could increase adherence to treatment.
It concluded that despite significant discomfort, cost and inconvenience, many patients are satisfied with the use of scalp cooling devices for chemotherapy induced alopecia. As results of these promising studies are released, we will add them to the site immediately.
This study, from Expert Review of Dermatology , February , presents an overview of 58 scalp cooling publications and three personal communications. Nortier, Jan Willem W. This study, from Acta Oncologica , April , collected data on scalp-cooled patients in 27 Dutch hospitals from The cold also decreases the activity of the hair follicles and makes them less attractive to chemo, which targets rapidly dividing cells.
This could reduce the effect of chemo on the follicle cells and, as a result, prevent or reduce hair loss from the scalp. Controlled studies of older forms of scalp hypothermia such as using ice packs have had conflicting results. However, some studies of newer, computer-controlled cooling cap systems have shown benefits. Recent studies of women getting chemo for early-stage breast cancer have found that at least half of the women using one of these newer devices lost less than half of their hair.
The most common side effects have been headaches, neck and shoulder discomfort, chills, and scalp pain. The success of scalp hypothermia may be related to the type of chemo drugs used, the chemo dosage, and how well the person tolerates the coldness.
Some research has also suggested that people with a thicker hair layer might be more likely to lose hair than those with a thinner layer of hair.
Cooling caps that are not fitted tightly have also been linked with more hair loss, often in patches where contact with the scalp is poor. There remain some unanswered questions about the safety of scalp hypothermia. Some doctors are concerned that the cold could keep chemo from reaching any stray cancer cells lurking in the scalp. Some believe that the scalp cooling might protect cancer cells there and allow them to survive the chemo and keep growing.
But in people who have used scalp hypothermia, reports of cancer in the scalp have been rare. More studies are needed to answer questions about long-term safety. Some older types of scalp hypothermia devices can be rented or purchased online, and some cancer treatment facilities in the US allow patients to use them.
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