Atlantic General Hospital's John H. 'Jack' Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center Offers Cold Cap Treatment for Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

People undergoing chemotherapy at the John H. ‘Jack’ Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center can now keep control of their hair loss by using a ground-breaking scalp cooling treatment.

Developed by a British family who understand first-hand what it is like to lose hair due to cancer treatment, the Paxman Scalp Cooling System helps reduce hair loss throughout chemotherapy.

Scalp cooling treatment, also known as cold cap treatment, empowers patients to feel a greater sense of control during a very overwhelming time. A recent $100,000 gift from local businessman and philanthropist Jack Burbage brought the technology and other services to the cancer treatment facility named in his honor.

Speaking about the impact of this treatment, Chanelle Lake, MSN, RN, OCN, director of the Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center, said, “When faced with the prospect of chemotherapy patients have a great deal of physical and psychological effects to deal with. Losing their hair is a major concern, for many resulting in a feeling of losing their identity.”

“Scalp cooling allows patients to take some control of a side effect that would otherwise be inevitable in some treatments,” Lake said. “We are delighted to be the first facility on the Delmarva peninsula to offer this treatment option to our patients.”

Patients can discuss scalp cooling and whether it’s right for them during their initial visit to the Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center, or call the center at 410-629-6888.

SO, WHAT IS SCALP COOLING?

Scalp cooling is a treatment that can help to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy and provides cancer patients with the only real alternative to this devastating side effect. It is widely recognized that chemotherapy-induced hair loss is one of the most traumatic side effects associated with cancer treatment and can have a significant emotional impact on many patients. It can be an unwanted reminder of their disease, can compromise their self-image, and many people would simply like to maintain their hair.

Chemotherapy works by targeting all rapidly dividing cells in the body. Hair is the second fastest dividing cell, and this is the reason why many chemotherapy drugs cause alopecia. The hair follicles in the growth phase are attacked, resulting in hair loss approximately two weeks after the commencement of the chemotherapy treatment.

The damage that chemotherapy causes to the hair follicle can be alleviated by using the scalp cooling treatment, also known as the 'cold cap.' It works by reducing the temperature of the scalp by a few degrees immediately before, during and after the administration of chemotherapy.

More information, including success rates by treatment regimen, educational videos and how-to guides, can be found at www.coldcap.com.