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First and Only Clinically Proven Device to Reduce Chemotherapy Related Hair Loss
(Miami Beach, Florida- March 22, 2016) — The Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami Beach, Florida is one of only 10 cancer centers in the country – and the only one in South Florida – that is now offering patients the DigniCap®.
The DigniCap® system is the first and only scalp cooling device to complete rigorous FDA clinical trials in the U.S., where seven out of 10 patients with early stage breast cancer kept at least 50% of their hair in clinical studies. And, in a test among early-stage breast cancer patients, 70% kept more than half their hair. The system was cleared by the Federal Drug Administration in December of 2015 to effectively reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss in women with breast cancer. The DigniCap® scalp cooling system is now available at Mount Sinai as part of breast cancer treatment regimens.
“We are very excited to be the first oncology practice in South Florida to provide the DigniCap system to our breast cancer patients,” said Mount Sinai medical oncologist and breast cancer specialist, Dr. Elisa Krill-Jackson. “In the past, we have used different types of scalp cooling caps that were very cumbersome, labor intensive and painful on the scalp. This new technology makes the process much easier for patients to preserve their hair.”
The DigniCap® scalp cooling system features a patented tight-fitting silicone cooling cap that is placed directly on the head, and an outer neoprene cap that insulates and secures the silicone cap. The cooling cap is connected to a cooling and control unit with touch screen prompts. A liquid coolant circulates throughout the silicone cap, delivering consistent and controlled cooling to all areas of the scalp. The cap is fitted to the head, and the temperature of the scalp is lowered, resulting in constriction of the blood vessels in the scalp with reduced uptake of chemotherapy into the hair follicle cells. These factors together reduce the risk of hair loss.
Unlike other cooling cap systems, which require patients to change caps every half hour and have a dedicated person on hand to assist, the Dignicap®’s continual cooling system means the patient only needs to wear one cap throughout the entire treatment.
Mount Sinai Mount Sinai has the distinction of being the first breast center in Florida to be accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. This accreditation is given only to those centers that have passed a rigorous evaluation, demonstrated they can comply with the accreditation program’s high standards and are committed to providing the highest quality care in breast disease diagnosis, treatment, support and follow-up care.
To learn more about the Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, call 305-674-CARE or visit www.msccc.com.