Technology to reduce cancer side effects in a first for the Toowoomba region

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience distressing side effects, which are a daily reminder that they are living with a devastating disease. Here’s how a new technology is helping reduce a key one.

St Andrew’s Hospital Toowoomba's new cancer care department.

One of the many side effects of cancer treatment is hair loss, and is a constant reminder for patients battling against the heartbreaking disease.

St Andrew’s Hospital has now introduced the very first scalp cooling treatment in the region, which will help cancer patients who struggle with hair loss during chemotherapy treatment.

St Andrew’s Director of Nursing Jaclyn Oughtred said Paxman scalp cooling would reduce the physical side effects of cancer treatment.

“How we look, is sometimes a reminder of the journey we are on and if we can support that then it’s a really positive thing,” she said.

“Our hair forms part of our identity as humans and I think this therapy supports the emotional burden that’s placed on people undergoing treatment and it allows some measure of control around the physical impacts of chemotherapy.”

The Paxman is worn during chemotherapy infusions and works by cooling down the patient’s scalp which reduces the blood flow to the hair follicles and minimises the effects of the toxic chemicals.

Ms Oughtred said the cold cap doesn’t completely stop hair loss, but decreases hair shedding and supports regrowth after chemo.

St Andrew’s Hospital Toowoomba nurses Gabrielle Priestly and Sigrid Burton trying out the new Paxman Scalp Cooling cap.

The introduction of Paxman cooling cap comes after the hospital’s newly upgraded oncology department earlier this year.

Ms Oughtred said this would significantly improve cancer treatment in Toowoomba, and is a service people would otherwise have to travel to get access to.

“It is paving the way forward for our patients to receive this type of care in a regional setting,” she said.

“The thought of packing up their lives and heading to a metropolitan setting to access this type of support while undergoing chemotherapy is a lot.

“Having the ability to provide this close to home is something St Andrew’s is really proud of.”

St Andrew’s Hospital Toowoomba nurses Gabrielle Priestly and Sigrid Burton trying out the new Paxman Scalp Cooling cap.

Oncology nurse Sigrid Burton had the honour of trying out the new Paxman cooling cap and said it would help so many of the patients she sees everyday.

“The first thing you see when someone doesn’t have hair is that they must be going through chemotherapy or they are sick and this just takes the stigma away a bit,” she said.

“Patients are able to feel a little bit more secure in their identity while they’re having chemo.

“It takes that worry away from patients who are having treatment.”

The Paxman cooling cap is complementary for eligible St Andrew’s cancer patients and will start operating within the next week or two.

St Andrew’s Hospital Toowoomba nurses Gabrielle Priestly and Sigrid Burton trying out the new Paxman Scalp Cooling cap.

The Paxman cold cap technology started in the UK by the Paxman family after Sue Paxman was diagnosed with breast cancer and suffered from hair loss during her chemo treatment.

Ms Paxman sadly passed away in 2000 from her cancer, but her family developed this company to help people around the world that are suffering the same way she did before she died.