The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the leading professional organisation for medical oncology, has updated the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dermatological Toxicities Related to Anticancer Agents to include the recommendation of scalp cooling for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) as a Category IIB recommendation.

A multidisciplinary group of experts from institutions and countries across Europe, the USA and Australia authored the updated guidelines.

The adoption of this recommendation by ESMO follows the US National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Clinical Practice Guidelines in oncology for breast cancer (Version 1.2019) update in 2019 to include scalp cooling as a Category 2A recommendation, and subsequently the Clinical Practice Guidelines in oncology for Ovarian Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer and Primary Peritoneal Cancer (Version 1.2020) along with the updated ‘Guidance for the management of early breast cancer’ by Cancer Australia earlier this year.

British Scalp cooling expert Paxman – whose pioneering cold cap system has helped over 100,000 cancer patients worldwide to retain their hair during chemotherapy – welcomed the recommendation and its wider potential for positive change.

Richard Paxman, CEO of Paxman, commented: “Clinical Practice Guidelines effectively determine standards of care around the world and this adoption by ESMO will work towards a positive change in the supportive cancer care landscape. Paxman are the scalp cooling provider for many leading cancer centres throughout Europe and this update will serve to the continuation of our international mission in eliminating hair loss from chemotherapy and thus change the face of cancer.”

Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is widely recognised as one of the most traumatic side effects associated with cancer treatment. Scalp cooling, or the ‘cold cap’, works by lowering scalp temperature before, during and after the administration of chemotherapy to alleviate the damage caused to the hair follicle, thus helping patients to retain their hair during treatment.

Paxman’s Scalp Cooling System provides a clinically proven hair loss prevention system for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The system is used at a large number of cancer centres and hospitals in Europe, North-, Central- and South America, Asia and Oceania, and is responsible for helping patients keep their hair and retain normality during cancer treatment.

Of the various interventions proposed for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia, scalp cooling has emerged as the most effective. However, clinicians are advised that in the case of limited prophylactic or therapeutic options to prevent, or treat, alopecia, it is essential to inform patients about this adverse event before commencing therapy and to speak about aids. The Guidelines also note that scalp cooling may be less effective with anthracycline-containing regimens.

Read the article in press here: https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(20)43157-6/fulltext

About ESMO
ESMO has over 25,000 members representing oncology professionals from over 160 countries worldwide and is the society of reference for oncology education and information. Founded in 1975, ESMO has European roots with a global reach. ESMO connects professionals with diverse expertise and experience. Its education and information resources support an integrated multi-professional approach. https://www.esmo.org/

About Paxman
Paxman is the leading global expert in scalp cooling, for the prevention of hair loss during chemotherapy. The concept behind the technology came when mother of four, Sue Paxman, experienced first-hand the trauma of chemotherapy induced hair loss. The company has since been on a personal journey to ensure Sue’s legacy lives on by helping women around the globe minimise chemotherapy-induced hair loss and contribute to their quality of life.

Backed by leading oncologists from around the world, the system has achieved global success in many hospitals and specialist cancer treatment centres. https://paxmanscalpcooling.com/