Scalp cooling aims to reduce hair loss from chemotherapy
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PARKERSBURG - Patients receiving chemotherapy at the WVU Cancer Institute at Camden Clark Medical Center now have access to scalp cooling, a new service intended to help reduce one of treatment's most visible side effects: hair loss.
The Cooler Heads Amma scalp-cooling system lowers the temperature of the scalp to reduce blood flow and limit the amount of chemotherapy that reaches hair follicles, according to a release from Camden Clark. This may help patients retain more of their hair throughout treatment.
"Hair loss can affect more than a patient's appearance. It can influence how they feel about themselves and how they navigate everyday life during treatment," said Lauren Gillian, Camden Clark director of cancer services. "Offering scalp cooling locally gives us another way to address those concerns and support patients through both the physical and emotional challenges of cancer care."
Patients are fitted with a cooling cap connected to a small, portable unit that circulates a chilled solution. Cooling begins approximately 30 minutes before chemotherapy, continues throughout the infusion and lasts another two to three hours afterward, depending on the treatment regimen.
Some shedding or thinning may still occur, and scalp cooling is not appropriate for every patient, the release says. The oncology team can help determine whether it is an option based on the patient's diagnosis and treatment plan.
The service at Camden Clark is part of a broader effort to bring scalp cooling to patients throughout the WVU Cancer Institute's regional network, the release says. The systems were made possible through donor support raised through the Institute's "Fund the Mission" campaign.
In March, West Virginia lawmakers passed Jessica Huffman's Law, requiring certain health insurance plans that cover chemotherapy to also provide coverage for scalp cooling. The requirement applies to plans issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2027. The law is named for Jessica Huffman, a nurse and WVU Medicine vice president who became an advocate for scalp-cooling coverage after experiencing hair loss during breast cancer treatment.
More information about scalp cooling, including eligibility and what to expect during treatment, is available at the WVU Cancer Institute at Camden Clark at 304-424-2744.