COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Detroit Medical Center in Commerce Township is making cancer treatment a little easier for patients. The company currently offers hair loss prevention technology to people undergoing chemotherapy.
The technology is a game-changer for patients like Paula Locke, who was the first in Michigan to try the portable device.
“When I was given the opportunity to do this, I said, ‘Sure, I’ll do it,'” Loch said.
DMC oncologist Stephanie Vandertil said the cap, which is used to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss, isn’t new, but the fact that it’s now portable is significant.
“We lower the scalp temperature to 65 degrees. We start cooling 30 minutes before starting chemotherapy and continue cooling during chemotherapy and for a few hours afterward,” Vandertil said. Ta.
“We’re all different, and if there are other women out there who are worried about hair loss the way I was, they should know that there is something they can do about it. There should be,” Loch said. .
Loch’s battle with cancer began in July when she was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer. It was discovered after a routine mammogram.
“It’s very important that women continue to get mammograms every year,” Vandertil said.
Locks’ daughter, Megan Koss, was by his side when he heard the devastating news.
“My mom is my best friend. She’s my world. This was really scary because anyone who knew her would feel the same way,” Koss said.
Vandertil said the technique won’t save all of Loch’s hair, but it should allow her to feel like herself.
“Patients will still lose some hair. Some thinning is to be expected. But the goal is, like I said at the grocery store, when someone you know sees you, It’s that you’re a lot like you,” Vandertil said.
Loch and Kos will do whatever they can to keep hope alive.
“What we’ve learned through this cancer journey is that cancer has the ability to take everything away from a person, so we need something that can give her some semblance of normalcy through this process. It’s really great that we’re being offered this,” Koss said. .
For more information about portable cooling caps, please visit the DMC website.
