Penn Highlands DuBois Offers Chemotherapy Hair-Loss Alternative

Penn Highlands DuBois is one of the first hospitals in the region to offer qualified patients receiving chemotherapy the complimentary use of Cooler Caps that help to minimize hair loss. The Cooler Caps use scalp cooling therapy to reduce blood flow to hair follicles which can help prevent or reduce hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.

The FDA-approved systems use a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol that flows through a form-fitting cap to “freeze” the patient’s hair follicles. Constricting the blood vessels in the scalp limits the amount of chemotherapy that reaches the follicles.

Patients must meet certain criteria in order to be a candidate for a Cooler Cap. The qualification process begins when the staff from the Hahne Cancer Center – DuBois assess a cancer patient’s probability of hair loss based on the type of chemotherapy they will be receiving. The patient will then be asked to complete an online intake form and participate in a video chat with representatives from the company that supplies the caps. Patients must agree to adhere to self-care stipulations such as using special shampoo.

“In order for the Cooler Cap to be effective, patients must wear it beginning with their very first chemotherapy treatment,” explained Jen Tollini, RN, BSN, OCN, Director of Oncology and Infusion Services at Penn Highlands Healthcare. “Patients must arrive for their treatments earlier so that the scalp can be pre-cooled to the correct temperature to freeze the hair follicles. Then, they must remain with us for two to three hours following the treatment so that their scalp warms up.”

The patient wears a very detailed, form-fitting cap. To accurately fit the cap, Velcro is placed around the head onto which an inner cap is adhered. Then, a second cap, which resembles an inflatable helmet, is placed over the first cap.

The cap is then connected by hose to a machine that circulates water/alcohol mixture. The cap must be worn for the duration of the treatment. The only reported side effect is some temporary numbness during the cool-down period.

Melissa Wayne was the first patient at Penn Highlands DuBois to wear the Cooler Cap when she was being treated for breast cancer at the hospital two years ago. “At first, I was a little nervous about wearing the cap, but everyone did a great job of explaining everything to me. The first few minutes when I put it on, my head was super cold, but I quickly forgot that it was there. They allow plenty of time for the head to warm up following the chemo treatment and when the cap was removed, my hair was wet.”

Melissa explained that she had very long, thick hair which was down to the middle of her back. She estimates that by wearing the Cooler Cap she only lost 50 to 60% of her hair. “I could tell that there was hair loss but no one else could notice,” she said.”

According to Jen, while the Cooler Cap can be used by both women and men, it is mostly worn by women because it works well with the type of chemotherapy that is commonly prescribed for breast cancer and men are not as concerned with hair loss as women.

Kelley Smith, DO, FACOS, a board-certified general surgeon at Penn Highlands DuBois that specializes in women’s health, talks with her patients about the Cooler Cap in her office before they are scheduled to begin their chemotherapy. She wants them to be well informed and know what options are available.

“There is a stigma surrounding hair loss with chemotherapy and this can be very emotional for some women,” said Dr. Smith. “As stated, the cap is not for everyone and results may vary, but may allow the patient to feel more themselves while undergoing treatment.”