First of its kind in the region, A new device for hair loss prevention for cancer patients.
   



The first of its kind in the region, used for 16 patients in Abu Dhabi with 74% success rate

A new device for hair loss prevention for cancer patients during chemotherapy sessions in Al Noor Hospital in Abu Dhabi

Al Noor hospital group in Abu Dhabi revealed the successful use of a modern and sophisticated device for prevention of hair loss among patients with cancer tumors who are receiving chemo-therapy treatment. The success rate is more than 74% after using the device on16 patients, a significant proportion of whom are women, where the patients received chemotherapy sessions together with using the device. No hair loss was significant in 74% of these patients.
Dr.Kassem Alom, CEO of AL Noor Hospitals Group said that installing and using the new device, which is considered the first of its kind in the region is part of the Group's strategy to provide the best treatment methods that will enhance the patient's psychological state and encourages commitment to the chemo-therapeutic sessions in the field of cancer treatment. The use of technological enhancement in healthcare field comes in line with the plans and programs of the Abu Dhabi Health Authority, which encourages the private health sector to develop and improve the level of services provided.
Dr. Alom added, that the new device is installed and running since several months and have been used for about 16 patients suffering from cancerous tumors and subjected to several sessions of therapy while giving them their treating chemical doses. The proven success of the device measured up to about 74%.
He noted that Cancer and Tumor Unit in Al Noor Hospital deals with various cases suffering from cancerous tumors. The unit receives referrals from various clinics with total visits for oncology patients during the first 11 months of this year about 3,500 visit with 8,000 cancer patients visits to the Hospital since the year 2008.
Dr. Hala Abdel Latif, Oncology Specialist at Al Noor Hospital, said that the total new cases of cancer discovered in Al Noor Hospital since the beginning of the year until early November were 90 cases suffering from various carcinomas including 34 cases diagnosed with breast cancer.
The new device used to prevent hair loss caused by chemical treatments for cancer patients is considered a technological breakthrough. Al Noor Hospital is the first hospital in the Gulf region to introduce this advanced technology. The device is described as a helmet placed on the head of the patient during treatment. The equipment acts as a cooling device placed on the head that prevents hair follicles from getting damaged by chemical drugs.
Dr. Hala added that the device gives new hope to cancer patients, since the fall of hair of cancer patients who receive chemical treatment may cause psychological problems especially to the ladies, and that this technology will help patients to continue their jobs and social activity while receiving their treatment, which would have the greatest impact on patient health and psychological status.


Dr. Hala explained that multiple chemical doses given to cancer patients causes hair loss and sometime baldness in high speed with a dramatic result. This is attributed to the mechanism these drugs work by destroying cancer cells which may also affect sound cells causing the hair to fall. But once these medicines are stopped, the hair usually grows back.
Dr. Hala commented on the psychological effects of hair loss mentioning that the hair loss affects the mood of the patient in many ways, including frustration, depression and gradual introverted withdrawal from community activities. In addition, experiencing other people questioning why the patient is losing his/her hair or covering their head especially for those who are not used to cover their heads. Cancer patient usually does not want to be known as receiving treatment.
She pointed out that hair loss is one of the factors that make patients reluctant to start the chemo-therapy treatment, as it is a major cause for concern rather than a simple reason, for some it may be the "last straw". With the introduction of this sophisticated device, there is a great chance that it preserves the patient’s hair.
Dr. Hala stressed that early detection and treatment of cancer patients gives the opportunity to live longer with high hopes of recovery, stating that a full recovery from tumors may reach up to 94% for breast cancer in the event of early detection and treatment of the tumor.