New technology at Eisenhower’s Lucy Curci Cancer Center helps patients with cancer keep their hair during chemotherapy

A local hospital has just received new groundbreaking technology that can help cancer patients keep their hair while undergoing chemotherapy.

News Channel 3’s Caitlin Thropay was at Eisenhower's Lucy Curci Cancer Center to see how it all works.

“I don’t have a lot of hair but I wanted to keep what hair I did have so I’m using it and it seems to be working for me,” BB Ingle told News Channel 3.

Ingle, who’s battling stage four prostate cancer is one of the first patients at Eisenhower's Lucy Curci Cancer Center to use the Paxman Scalp Cooling Cap.

“It’s really new around the country," Alison Sachs, Director of Community Outreach and Cancer Support Services at Eisenhower's Lucy Curci Cancer Center said. "There have been old devices that have worked to help prevent hair loss but they were really cumbersome and overwhelming. This is not." she added.

The cap goes on during chemotherapy treatments. It cools your head to 32 degrees so chemo can’t get into the hair follicle.

“It’s a weird feeling when you first put it on because the first 15 minutes it is really cold,” Ingle said.

For many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, losing your hair is typically one of the most traumatic side effects.

“We know for men and for women hair loss is a big deal during chemotherapy cancer treatment," Sachs said.

For Ingle, this cap is helping him keep his hair.

“I felt very fortunate to be one of the first ones to use it and to be able to spread the word about it also,” he added.

It’s already being used in 25 countries worldwide. This new technology is huge for cancer patients but there is an important take away when it comes to the Paxman cooling cap.

“The biggest take away is it isn’t for everyone, it won’t work for everyone and you can’t get it without first having a discussion with your physician to approve it for you,” Sachs said.

For more information on the Paxman Scalp Cooling Cap visit their website: https://paxmanscalpcooling.com/