The cancer care facility is the first on Delmarva to offer scalp cooling treatment to control hair loss.

Berlin, Md. – 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.  

NOTES TO EDITOR 

Studies have indicated that 10% of cancer patients will refuse chemotherapy, or request a less efficacious treatment, because they are likely to lose a significant proportion of their hair, a highly visible signal to the outside world that individuals are undergoing cancer treatment.

A possible remedy to chemo-induced alopecia is the science of scalp cooling, a method of reducing the temperature of a patient’s scalp to inhibit blood flow to hair follicles and minimize or eliminate hair loss in some patients. The Paxman Scalp Cooling System represents one method of achieving this. Patients undertake scalp cooling therapy using Paxman Cold Cap for a period of around 2.5 hours during the administration of chemotherapy treatments.

About the John H. ‘Jack’ Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center

The Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center, located on Atlantic General Hospital’s campus in Berlin, Md., provides one centrally-located, convenient facility for the care and treatment of individuals with cancer and blood disorders.

In addition to medical oncology, chemotherapy infusion services, targeted therapies and immunotherapy, the center offers the latest in radiation oncology treatment, PET/CT imaging, laboratory services, genetic counseling, and community education and support facilities.

About Atlantic General Hospital

Atlantic General Hospital has been providing quality health care to the residents of Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset (Md.) and Sussex (Del.) counties since May 1993. Built by the commitment and generosity of a dedicated community, the hospital’s state-of-the-art facility in Berlin, Md. combines compassion and expertise with the latest in technology and services. Atlantic General Health System, its network of more than 25 primary care provider and specialist offices, care for residents and visitors throughout the region. For more information about Atlantic General Hospital, visit www.atlanticgeneral.org.

About Paxman Scalp Cooling

Paxman Scalp Cooling is the world-leading hair loss prevention system for chemotherapy patients. It has been used by over 100,000 patients in 63 countries around the world and is responsible for helping patients to reduce chemotherapy-induced alopecia and retain normality whilst undergoing their treatment.  In the U.S., there are currently 500 locations in 41 states that have adopted the technology, ensuring that cancer patients across the country can access this important treatment in side effect management.