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May 2013

Chemotherapy hair loss could be prevented by new cooling cap


A new scalp-cooling system is being rolled out in parts of London to help chemotherapy patients prevent hair loss during therapy.

The DigniCap system

The DigniCap system has been adopted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust for use in its chemotherapy day units at Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals.

Patients wear a special cap which cools their scalp, which in turn reduces hair loss.

Martin Waleij, chief executive of Swedish company Dignitana, which makes the DigniCap, said: "We are honoured that Imperial College Healthcare has chosen to offer their patients the DigniCap system.

“Being able to work with this nationally and internationally renowned NHS Trust to offer Londoners a safe alternative to one of the most challenging side effects of chemotherapy has been a key goal for us since we commenced business activity in the UK in 2010.

"We are proud to be able to add Imperial College to our growing list of top medical establishments around the world that include the DigniCap System in their comprehensive approach to cancer care.”

The system continuously monitors temperature to ensure consistent application of the cooling treatment, and the caps are specifically designed so that the ears remain uncovered during the process.

A spokesman for the company said clinical results show that eight out of ten patients in Europe and Asia who used the DigniCap System during chemotherapy retained their hair.

He added that additional trials at leading medical centers around the world had proved the system to be a viable alternative for both women and men of diverse ethnicities.

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK serving patients throughout the London area and across the UK through its Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea, St Mary’s and Western Eye hospitals.

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