Lakeland, FL – Lakeland Regional Health’s Hollis Cancer Center is pleased to now offer Cold Caps to reduce hair loss in patients receiving certain chemotherapy drugs – the only health system to offer this service in Lakeland.
Hair loss, one of the side effects from chemotherapy treatment, can be overwhelming for patients working to conquer cancer. Cooling the scalp can help to reduce the damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs by reducing blood flow to the area around the hair follicles. The use of scalp cooling has been shown to be somewhat effective in preventing hair loss due to chemotherapy treatment, with about a 50% chance of retaining half or more of one’s hair.
“Cancer has both a physical and emotional effect on patients. We are excited to be able to offer peace of mind with this new technology to our patients receiving chemotherapy treatment,” said Timothy Dench, Director of Hollis Cancer Center. “At Lakeland Regional Health, we are committed to providing innovative treatments to support patients on their cancer journey.”
Cooling caps are worn during chemotherapy infusions and will be sized to fit for each individual. A soft, lightweight silicone cap, connected to a compact refrigeration system, is placed on the patient’s head. The cooling treatment takes two to three hours. The main side effect is coldness discomfort reported during the beginning of treatments.
“Our goal as Oncologists is to provide patients with the highest possible quality of life, and hair loss can sometimes result in stress, depression, loss of self-esteem and loss of privacy in patients,” said Toan Nguyen, MD, Breast Surgeon and Medical Director of Breast Oncology for Lakeland Regional Health. “Fear of hair loss can even cause some patients to reject integral chemotherapy treatments. This scalp cooling system is transforming the chemotherapy experience by allowing patients to retain their self-confidence and feel a sense of control.”
To learn more, visit myLRH.org/HollisCancerCenter or call 863.603.6565.
About Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center
Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center provides specialized cancer care services, including medical oncology, lung cancer, breast oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology and urologic oncology. The Hollis Cancer Center’s board-certified physicians and team of clinical and research professionals use state-of-the-art technology to provide the best possible outcomes for cancer
patients. The Commission on Cancer named Lakeland Regional Health one of 24 oncology programs in the United States to earn its Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019. In addition, the Hollis Cancer Center participates in dozens of clinical trials and its research over the years has helped to bring 50 FDA-approved chemotherapy and biologic medications to the marketplace. Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and accredited with Gold Accreditation with Commendation by the Commission on Cancer.