Why Didn’t My Doctor Mention Scalp Cooling?
When facing a cancer diagnosis, most people want every bit of control they can keep. Losing one’s hair during chemotherapy can be particularly distressing, as it’s a visible sign of the internal battle they’re fighting. Yet, despite scalp cooling technology’s effectiveness in reducing chemotherapy-related hair loss, it’s often overlooked or unmentioned by doctors in the United States. This article will explore why scalp cooling isn’t always discussed as an option, even though it has proven results and FDA approval.
Lack of Awareness Among Medical Professionals
While scalp cooling is widely used in Europe and other parts of the world, it's still relatively unknown in the United States. This innovative technology works by cooling the scalp, which constricts blood vessels and reduces the amount of chemo that reaches the hair follicles, preventing hair loss.
Despite the FDA approving several scalp cooling devices since 2015, many American doctors remain unaware of its effectiveness and availability. This lack of awareness often stems from limited exposure to scalp cooling during their training. Some doctors may hold outdated views, dismissing it as experimental or ineffective.
The Polar Shift is committed to changing this. We're dedicated to educating doctors and patients about scalp cooling, providing them with the latest information and resources to have confident discussions and make informed decisions about hair preservation during chemotherapy.
Outdated Information on Scalp Cooling Efficacy
Scalp cooling technology has evolved significantly over the years. Early attempts were less effective and inconsistent, with results varying from patient to patient. Today, scalp cooling has become a more precise, consistent, and patient-friendly option due to advancements in machine and manual cold cap designs. Despite this, some doctors may hold on to misconceptions rooted in older studies, which suggested scalp cooling was not highly effective.
Fortunately, research in recent years has demonstrated scalp cooling’s effectiveness for many patients undergoing chemotherapy for certain types of cancer. FDA approval has helped raise awareness, but it is still taking time for this information to fully permeate the medical community. The Polar Shift is dedicated to ensuring that more doctors and patients understand the current efficacy of scalp cooling, empowering patients with choices that can make a difference in their quality of life.
Accessibility and Equipment Availability
Not all infusion centers or hospitals have machine scalp cooling equipment available. Machine scalp cooling devices are often expensive to purchase and maintain, which has limited their availability in many treatment centers. As a result, patients may only be introduced to scalp cooling if they are fortunate enough to receive chemotherapy at a center that has the equipment. This restricted access further complicates efforts to educate patients about scalp cooling as an option.
Fortunately, manual cold cap systems can offer an alternative to machine-based cooling and may be more widely accessible. With physician approval, patients can rent a set of manual cold caps through cold cap providers. These caps are used in a sequential process during chemotherapy infusions and require dry ice or a biomedical freezer to maintain the necessary cold temperatures. While manual systems may require more effort, they still offer an effective solution for patients who wish to minimize hair loss but do not have access to a machine-based scalp cooling device.
The founders of The Polar Shift used manual cold capping systems with extraordinary success. Liesel’s Story.
The Polar Shift’s Mission
The Polar Shift is committed to raising awareness about scalp cooling and making sure patients understand that they have options. By educating the public, healthcare professionals, and infusion centers, we aim to shift the conversation around chemotherapy-related hair loss in the United States. We believe that patients deserve to know all possible solutions, including those available outside their doctor’s immediate recommendations.
Our organization also seeks to bridge the knowledge gap within the medical community by providing resources to oncologists and other healthcare providers. We want to ensure that patients are aware of FDA-approved scalp cooling devices and manual cold cap systems, allowing them to make informed decisions about their treatment plans.
Crush The Cancer. Keep Your Crown.
For patients seeking options to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss, The Polar Shift is here to support and inform. We are dedicated to helping patients understand their choices so that everyone undergoing chemotherapy has the information they need to decide what’s best for their health and well-being. Through awareness, education, and support, The Polar Shift is working to make scalp cooling a well-known, accessible option for cancer patients across the country.
