Revolutionary treatment developed in Israel fights chemotherapy-related hair loss
Despite its small size Israel plays a prominent role in the field of medical innovation
The Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital in Israel’s southern district has developed a new treatment that reduces hair loss resulting from chemotherapy.
The revolutionary treatment has so far noted a reduction of 70% in hair loss among its patients. The unique treatment consists of a specially designed cooling cap for cancer patients. The hat prevents hair loss by ensuring that the temperature of the scalp does not exceed 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).
Dr. Larisa Rivo, director of the Oncology Institute, said technological innovation helps patients better handle side effects from various treatments.
"Fortunately, technological progress makes it possible not only to deal with the disease itself but also with the side effects derived from [cancer] and the treatments for it. The phenomenon of hair loss for chemotherapy patients has caused them great trauma. Fortunately, today we have taken another step towards making this phenomenon a thing of the past," Rivo said.
"Cancer is a complex and challenging disease, but unlike in the past, today's medicine has a wide variety of tools to treat, deal with, and cure it. Technological progress means that many diseases can now be dealt with and even beaten," she added.
The tiny Jewish state plays a prominent role in the field of medical innovation given its size.
In June, a medical team from the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem announced it had developed an experimental treatment for the lethal multiple myeloma cancer. The experimental treatment reportedly noted a 90% success rate.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
