Advances in supportive therapies have made cancer and its treatments much more manageable over the last 10 years, with one exception: hair loss. No one wants to lose their hair with treatment; silky, curly, thick, or thin…. hairstyles represent who we are, our identity and our individuality. There is one clinically proven way to reduce hair loss as a side effect of certain types of chemotherapy, and we are so happy to be able to offer it to you, with a few exceptions which your doctor can explain.

Scalp cooling is a treatment that can help to reduce hair loss from during certain types of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy works by targeting all cells that grow rapidly in the body. Not all rapidly dividing cells are cancer, in fact there are many rapidly dividing healthy cells. Hair is the second fastest dividing cell, and this is the reason why many chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss alopecia. The hair follicles in the growth phase are attacked, resulting in hair loss approximately two weeks after a person begins the 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. Tthe cold cap is applied 30 minutes prior to, during, and for 90 minutes following your treatment.

We work with the Insurance companies to secure coverage and when applicable patient assistance programs, to be able to provide you with your personal Paxman Cold Cap kit.

When you meet with your Physician to discuss your cancer and treatment options, She/He they will discuss Cold Cap therapy with you if you are at risk of losing hair as a side effect of treatment if it is beneficial for your type of cancer treatment. The MediSys Cancer Center team can be reached at 718-206-6108, or 8263. We are’re here for you. We are committed to your well-being as we treat your cancer and support you through the process.