Breast cancer survivor keeps most of her hair with new technology

BOULDER, Colorado – More than 200,000 women and 2,000 men will receive breast cancer treatment this year. A survivor told her technology story that made her a little easier to recover.

Brenda has spent a long year struggling to survive breast cancer. After an abnormal mammogram, the doctors found a bump so deep that she could not feel it herself.

"I was scared and I was sad," Brenda said. "My husband said we would not get out, we would prosper."

She would need to start chemotherapy immediately and one of her big fears was losing her hair.

"I wanted to go out in public and not let people wonder if I am fighting for health, not because it is something to be ashamed of or feared because it is not good enough. is not the case, "said Brenda.

But the doctors told him about cold cup therapy. Recently approved by the FDA, it can prevent hair loss.

Dr. Jenny Fox has treated many breast cancer patients at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.

"Basically, by cooling the scalp, it causes a constriction of the blood vessels, and therefore less chemotherapy reaches the hair follicles, less damage is caused to them."

It is also a way to give patients a sense of control during the chemotherapy process. This is a two-layer hood consisting of a cooling gel and covered with a neoprene helmet attached to the patient's head and connected to a refrigerating machine.

"Your head is frozen, it's like having an ice cream migraine without having ice cream," Brenda said.

It worked for Brenda. She had her last chemotherapy treatment six months ago.

"There is a small patch here where you can see some of the hair coming in. But if I had lost all my hair, I would only have a few inches now," Brenda said.

Now, with most of her hair, Brenda feels good about not having cancer.

"Oh, it's a party, it's great," Brenda said.