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FDA-Approved Devices Could Help Chemo Patients Battle Hair Loss
by April Maguire
Cancer is one of the most pernicious diseases on the planet. Unfortunately for many sufferers, cancer doesn't just threaten their lives. It threatens their dignity too, as more than 65% of patients begin to lose their hair shortly after starting chemotherapy. This hair loss often causes unwanted attention, stress and depression during an already trying time. That's why innovations like Dignitana's DigniCap and the Paxman scalp cooling systems are becoming an important part of fighting cancer for patients all around the world.
Benefits of Scalp Cooling
To understand how scalp cooling works, it's important to understand how chemotherapy drugs work. These powerful medications are great at targeting fast-replicating cells, such as cancer cells, and eliminating them. Sadly though, they're unable to differentiate between dangerous cancer cells and hair cells, which also replicate faster than average. As a result, hair follicles are destroyed and baldness occurs.
That's where scalp cooling comes into play. By lowering the temperature of the scalp, you effectively limit blood flow to the area. As a result, less of the chemotherapy treatment is absorbed. Additionally, cooling the scalp helps to slow down cellular activity inside of the follicles, making them less of a target for the drugs in the first place.
Although the science behind this technology is incredibly simple, the devices have proven to be very effective. In fact, both DigniCap and Paxman boast success rates of around 70%, which is why the FDA has approved both devices for us by cancer patients while undergoing chemotherapy. At present, the DigniCap is available at more than 120 facilities across the United States alone, while the Paxman system is available at more than 70.
The Downsides
As with most things in life, there are some downsides to these scalp cooling systems. First and foremost is the cost. On average, patients pay between $250 and $500 to use the DigniCap during each chemotherapy treatment. Alternatively, patients are charged between $1,300 and $2,200 to use a Paxman cap for a full year. And since both options are relatively new, insurance hasn't started to cover them, so the full price has to come out-of-pocket.
In addition to the pain to your bank account, scalp cooling can cause pain to your body too. While most patients describe the cooling sensation as a mild headache, similar to brain freeze, for others it's prohibitively painful. Also, it's not entirely clear how safe scalp cooling is. Since chemotherapy isn't reaching the head, it can provide a venue for cancer cells to hide out and multiply.
Despite these drawbacks though, scalp-cooling devices are getting rave reviews from the vast majority of patients. After all, with all of the worries that come with getting a cancer diagnosis, suffering through hair loss shouldn't have to be one of them.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about hair loss and how to treat it, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
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