TH Chemotherapy: Save your hair with cold capping

TH chemotherapy combines two powerful drugs, Paclitaxel (Taxol) and Trastuzumab (Herceptin), to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. These drugs work together to target and kill cancer cells effectively.

Paclitaxel (Taxol) is a chemo drug that stops cancer cells from dividing and growing and Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is a targeted therapy that only attacks HER2-positive cancer cells, causing less damage to healthy cells.

In this article, we’ll talk about about TH chemotherapy in more detail and show how cold capping can help manage one of the most upsetting side effects: hair loss.

What is TH chemotherapy?

TH chemotherapy uses two drugs, Paclitaxel (Taxol) and Trastuzumab (Herceptin), to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. Doctors use this chemo combination before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumors and after surgery (adjuvant) to lower the risk of cancer coming back.

Paclitaxel (Taxol): This chemotherapy drug comes from the Pacific yew tree. It works by stopping cancer cells from dividing and growing, effectively halting their spread.

Trastuzumab (Herceptin): This is a targeted therapy that specifically attacks cancer cells with too much HER2 protein, common in some breast cancers. By attaching to these cells, Trastuzumab stops them from growing and surviving.

This treatment is especially good for HER2-positive breast cancer, where there’s too much HER2 protein making the cancer cells grow faster.

Common side effects of TH chemotherapy

While TH chemotherapy is effective in treating breast cancer, it can also cause several side effects. Learning more about these potential side effects and how to manage them can help you prepare for the journey ahead.

• Hair loss (61%): Hair loss is one of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Paclitaxel is known to cause significant hair loss, affecting the patient’s self-esteem and emotional well-being.
• Fatigue (38%): Chemotherapy can lead to varying degrees of fatigue, ranging from mild tiredness to extreme exhaustion, impacting daily activities.
• Nausea (42%): These are common side effects that can occur shortly after treatment. Anti-nausea medications can help manage these symptoms.
• Peripheral neuropathy (46%): Paclitaxel can cause nerve damage, leading to tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet.
• Diarrhea (67%): Chemotherapy can disrupt the digestive system, leading to frequent and loose stools.
• Low blood cell counts (53%): TH chemotherapy can lower the levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, increasing the risk of infection, anemia, and bleeding issues.

How to manage hair loss on TH chemotherapy

Hair loss is a significant concern for many patients undergoing TH chemotherapy. Understanding why it happens and exploring ways to manage it can help mitigate this distressing side effect.

Chemotherapy works by attacking cells that divide quickly, which is a key feature of cancer cells. Unfortunately, it can’t tell the difference between cancer cells and other rapidly dividing cells in your body, like those in your hair follicles. This is why many people experience hair loss or thinning during treatment—the chemo drugs damage the hair follicles along with the cancer cells.

How cold capping works

Cold capping involves wearing a specialized cap filled with a gel coolant that is chilled to a very low temperature. This cap is worn before, during, and after chemotherapy sessions, and it triggers several physiological responses in the scalp:

• Vasoconstriction: The cold temperature causes the blood vessels in the scalp to constrict or narrow. This reaction is crucial because it significantly reduces blood flow to the scalp area.
• Reduced Chemotherapy Exposure: With the blood vessels constricted, a smaller amount of the chemotherapy drug reaches the hair follicles. Since chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, including those in the hair follicles, reducing the drug’s reach helps protect these cells.
• Preservation of Hair Follicles: Cold caps help maintain the integrity of hair follicles by limiting the amount of chemotherapy that reaches them. As a result, many patients using cold cap therapy experience minimal hair loss, and some may avoid hair loss entirely during their treatment.

The effectiveness of cold caps can vary based on individual factors, such as the type and dosage of chemotherapy. However, many patients report significantly less hair loss, which can provide substantial emotional and psychological benefits, helping to maintain self-image and privacy during treatment.

How Penguin Cold Caps can help

Penguin Cold Caps is a pioneer in cold cap therapy, having helped thousands of chemotherapy patients preserve their hair during treatment. This therapy provides a practical method for reducing hair loss, which is one of the most visible and distressing side effects of TH chemotherapy.

Through both personal testimonials and clinical studies, the effectiveness of these cold caps in maintaining hair, and consequently a sense of normalcy and self-esteem, is well-documented.

Cold capping requires careful planning and preparation. Patients typically wear the cold cap before, during, and after each chemotherapy session. The process can be time-consuming and requires support, but many patients find the results worth the effort.

You can find more stories from Penguin Cold Caps patients, and how they saved their hair whilst undergoing a wide range of different types chemotherapy regimens.

Clinical validation

Beyond patient testimonials, clinical studies robustly support the effectiveness of cold capping in reducing hair loss during chemotherapy. Research on various chemotherapy regimens, including TH, provides strong evidence-based support for the use of cold caps. These studies offer both anecdotal assurance and scientifically verified evidence of the benefits of cold cap therapy.

You can find more details on clinical evidence here: The evidence that Cold Cap Therapy Works.

The benefits of Penguin Cold Caps extend beyond the physical preservation of hair. They play a significant role in maintaining patients’ psychological well-being. The option to use cold caps is more than a cosmetic choice—it can profoundly impact mental health and emotional resilience during cancer treatment.

Is Cold Capping right for you?

• Do your homework: Start by gathering information about cold capping. Learn how it works, what the process involves, and read about others’ experiences. Understanding the potential outcomes can help you set realistic expectations. You can find many patient stories and posts on Penguin Cold Caps’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
• Talk to your healthcare team: It’s essential to discuss cold capping with your oncologist or healthcare provider before making a decision. They can give you valuable insights into how cold capping fits into your overall treatment plan and whether it’s suitable for the type of chemotherapy you’ll be receiving.
• Reach out to a Penguin Cold Cap representative: Penguin Cold Cap representatives are experts in their field and can guide you through the process. They can provide detailed information about how cold capping works, the costs involved, and what to expect during your treatment.
• Get personalized advice: If you’re thinking about trying cold cap therapy, reaching out for personalized advice and support is a good idea. Requesting a callback from a Penguin Cold Cap representative is simple and can be the first step in making an informed decision.
• Request a callback today: If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to contact a Penguin Cold Cap representative. They can help you understand your options and support you through your treatment journey.

Finding a support network

Navigating chemotherapy can be challenging, but having a strong support network can make a significant difference. Here are some ways to find support:

• Open Communication: Discuss your feelings and concerns with friends and family to alleviate emotional burdens
• Support Groups: Joining support groups, such as the Chemotherapy Support Group on Facebook, can provide a space to share experiences and gain advice from others undergoing similar treatments.

Get in Touch

If you’re about to undergo TH chemotherapy and are worried about losing your hair, book a call with a Penguin Cold Caps rep for more information on how cold capping can help. Simply complete the form below and you local rep will be in touch.