Treatment tools for cancer can be highly successful and save lives, but they come with many negative side effects. Chemotherapy, in particular, has some rather unpleasant ones including fatigue, nausea, mouth ulcers, and constipation to name just a few. Many cancer survivors will tell you losing their hair was the worst one. For many, their hair defines who they are and losing some or all of it is truly heartbreaking and can crush their spirit. It’s a constant reminder of their disease. DigniCap: how scalp cooling technology helps preserve hair during chemotherapy.
What Is Scalp Hypothermia?
Scalp hypothermia is a way to cool the scalp before, during, and after a chemotherapy treatment to reduce or prevent hair loss. The latest technology has a two piece cooling cap controlled by a computer to circulate cooled liquid thru the cap the patient wears. The second cap is made of neoprene and covers the cooling cap to hold it in place and prevent condensation.
The cooling tightens up (constricts) the blood vessels in the scalp reducing the damage chemotherapy does to hair follicles. Lower temperatures lead to reduced blood flow to the scalp, which means less chemotherapy reaches the hair cells. In turn, the hair cells are not exposed to the full dose of chemotherapy and may survive the treatment. Thus, less hair falls out.
After lengthy clinical trials DigniCap was the first scalp cooling system to receive FDA clearance. The study concluded that DigniCap prevented hair loss in 66.3% of patients with breast cancer compared to a control group where all patients experienced “significant” hair loss.
What Are the Benefits of DigniCap?
The benefits of using scalp cooling technology include:
- Protects a patient’s privacy
- Reduces any visible signs of cancer and its side effects
- Helps to improve self esteem
Does DigniCap Have Side Effects?
Side effects seem to be minor and include headaches, chills, scalp irritation, and discomfort in the neck and shoulders.
Check with your insurance company to find out how much of the cost (if any) is covered.
See If Scalp Hypothermia Is Right for You
Contact South Carolina Oncology Associates to discuss whether scalp cooling technology would be beneficial for you considering all the pros and cons. Call (803) 461-3000 to schedule an appointment in Columbia, SC.
Sources:
Cold cap scalp cooling therapy – Mayo Clinic Health System
Using Cooling Caps to Reduce Hair Loss | Scalp Hypothermia | American Cancer Society
