HMH Brings New Device for Chemotherapy Patients to Help Prevent Hair Loss

First in Kentucky to use FDA-cleared Paxman® cooling cap system 

Elizabethtown, Ky. – Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) announced a new device today to help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments prevent hair loss. Funding from the HMH Foundation (HMHF) allowed HMH to be the first in Kentucky to offer the Paxman® Scalp Cooling System.

The system uses what is called a cold cap to reduce the scalp temperature immediately before, during and after a chemotherapy treatment. The cooling reduces the blood flow to hair follicles which helps to prevent or minimize the hair loss.

HMH Cancer Care Medical Director, Adam Lye, M.D. touted the technology as an additional benefit HMH can offer patients who are facing an emotional cancer journey.

“Patients often ask me if they are going to lose their hair,” Lye said. “With the Paxman® Scalp Cooling System, we can try to alleviate that stressor and allow the patients to focus on their treatment.”

Lye said taking care of the whole patient is critically important. “We know when we also take care of patients’ emotional and spiritual needs, it helps to optimize healing,” he said. 

HMHF Chairman, Joe Prather, expressed his gratitude to the donors who made the cooling cap system possible.

“This is exactly the kind of breakthrough investment we want to make,” Prather said. “HMH already provides high quality cancer care and our Foundation helps HMH take that care to the next level.”

One of Lye’s breast cancer patients, Jamie Owen, a mother of two young children, is the first HMH patient to use the Paxman® system. 

“When I received my diagnosis, my immediate concern was and still is to stay alive,” Owen said. “But I was concerned that losing my hair would scare my kids. I am grateful to have this technology available close to home. The cooling caps are such a blessing for me and my family.”