New Technology to Reduce Chemo induced Hair Loss

Bon Secours is the first health system in the Richmond region to offer cold cap therapy, a scalp cooling technology to prevent hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Bon Secours patients now have the opportunity to regain control and maintain privacy during their breast cancer battle.

The Paxman Scalp Cooling System, now available at three Bon Secours Outpatient Infusion Centers, works by reducing the temperature of the scalp through a custom cold cap. Each patient’s cold cap is connected to a temperature-regulated machine that cools the scalp to a temperature near freezing before, during and after chemotherapy is administered. This simple procedure reduces blood flow to the hair follicles, which can be effective in preventing chemotherapy-induced hair loss and can result in a high level of hair retention.

“This technology provides our patients the opportunity to maintain not only their hair, but their sense of self while undergoing chemotherapy,” said William J. Irvin, Jr., M.D., medical director of medical oncology for Bon Secours and director of clinical research for the Bon Secours Cancer Institute. “We are thrilled to offer cold cap therapy to our patients, and it’s our hope that hair retention during treatment might allow our patients more normalcy as they continue on their individual cancer journeys.”

Breast cancer patients seeking treatment at the Bon Secours Southside Outpatient Infusion Center in Midlothian, Bon Secours Bremo Outpatient Infusion Center in Richmond, or Bon Secours Hanover Outpatient Infusion Center in Mechanicsville are able to take advantage of cold cap therapy through the Paxman Scalp Cooling System.