What are cold caps and how do they work during breast cancer treatment?
Cold caps are tight-fitting caps that cool the scalp during chemotherapy to help prevent hair loss. They work by narrowing blood vessels around hair cells, which reduces the amount of chemotherapy drugs reaching the hair follicles.
There are two main Show Full Answer
What are cold caps and how do they work during breast cancer treatment?
Cold caps are tight-fitting caps that cool the scalp during chemotherapy to help prevent hair loss. They work by narrowing blood vessels around hair cells, which reduces the amount of chemotherapy drugs reaching the hair follicles.
There are two main types:
• Manual cold caps - Like ice packs that need frequent replacement every 20-30 minutes
• Automated cooling systems - Connected to a refrigeration unit that continuously pumps cold liquid through the cap The effectiveness varies between 27-90%, with an overall success rate of about 61%. While they can help maintain scalp hair, they don't prevent loss of eyebrows, eyelashes, or other body hair.
Common side effects include:
• Headache
• Scalp and neck pain
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Chilliness
Costs typically range from $380-450 per month. While insurance coverage varies, it's worth checking with your provider and having your healthcare team support the request.
September 16, 2025
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