BYO Cold Cap?
Hi all, I have just found out that my hospital (Monash) doesn’t offer the cold cap for chemo. The breast care nurse I spoke to was very disparaging of them, saying there was no evidence they worked, ...
Forum Discussion
Hi @katym
I am sorry that the Breast Care Nurse was disparaging of the Cold Caps - they seem to work for some women, but not for all. It may depend on the 'strength' of the hair - some have very 'thick, strong' hair whilst others have very fine hair (or it may be the other way around.)
Some women are keen to use them, but find they just can't cope with the coldness ..... yet others don't have a problem with the cold. So, it is a bit 'weird' that some find it 'easy' yet others find it 'hard'.
Even if successful, the use of a cold cap may still result in 'some' hair loss - just not as much or as patchy as if not used at all.
I didn't have chemo so didn't need to access one. I know with our local chemo Rooms, that a lot of money was raised to provide a Cold Cap machine, that supports 2 patients at a time ... and I am sure they would have put that money towards something 'better' - if they didn't have evidence that the Cold Caps work!
The chemo hits all the fast growing cells, as many cancer cells are also fast growing - which is why skin, hair and even fingernails & toenails are often impacted. Some people have cold things for their hands & feet too, to help prevent neuropathy! Once again - it helps some, but not necessarily all. I don't think they really know who & why someone is going to 'miss out'. :(
Take care & good luck
I am sorry that the Breast Care Nurse was disparaging of the Cold Caps - they seem to work for some women, but not for all. It may depend on the 'strength' of the hair - some have very 'thick, strong' hair whilst others have very fine hair (or it may be the other way around.)
Some women are keen to use them, but find they just can't cope with the coldness ..... yet others don't have a problem with the cold. So, it is a bit 'weird' that some find it 'easy' yet others find it 'hard'.
Even if successful, the use of a cold cap may still result in 'some' hair loss - just not as much or as patchy as if not used at all.
I didn't have chemo so didn't need to access one. I know with our local chemo Rooms, that a lot of money was raised to provide a Cold Cap machine, that supports 2 patients at a time ... and I am sure they would have put that money towards something 'better' - if they didn't have evidence that the Cold Caps work!
The chemo hits all the fast growing cells, as many cancer cells are also fast growing - which is why skin, hair and even fingernails & toenails are often impacted. Some people have cold things for their hands & feet too, to help prevent neuropathy! Once again - it helps some, but not necessarily all. I don't think they really know who & why someone is going to 'miss out'. :(
Take care & good luck