Memorial First in Coastal Mississippi to Offer Paxman Scalp Cooling for Oncology Patients

GULFPORT, Miss. – Memorial is the first in Coastal Mississippi to offer scalp cooling for oncology patients receiving chemotherapy treatment. Scalp cooling is a process that uses cryotherapy, in which the scalp is cooled with a manual or mechanized cooling cap. Scalp cooling can be used by adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy to treat solid tumor cancers such as, but not limited to, breast, ovarian, other gynecological, lung, and prostate cancers.

Typically, the treatment consists of a cap, which comes in two sections (an inner cap and an outer cover), worn before, during, and for some time after chemotherapy infusion. The cap is attached to a system, which circulates coolant liquid around the inner cap, reducing the temperature of the scalp. Reducing the temperature of the scalp helps protect the hair follicles and limits the damage caused by chemotherapy drugs.

“We’re proud to be the first in the area to offer this innovative treatment option for our oncology patients,” said Memorial Health System Manager of Clinical Practice Operations Quin Barnes. “We understand that hair loss during chemotherapy can be one of the most difficult parts of the journey for many patients, and the Paxman Scalp Cooling System gives them the chance to keep a part of their identity during treatment. It’s another way we’re committed to supporting our patients not only physically, but emotionally, as they navigate cancer care.”

In April 2023, Aimee Robertson, president of the Memorial Hospital Foundation, received news that would change her life: she was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. Retaining her hair meant preserving a part of her identity and maintaining a sense of normalcy for herself and her family. Find out why her experience led her to advocate for offering this technology at Memorial: Preserving Dignity During Chemotherapy – Paxman Cooling System Now Available at Memorial – Memorial Health System (wearememorial.com).

To learn more about the Paxman Cooling System at Memorial, including financial assistance information, call (228) 575-2978. For additional information about how the Paxman Cooling System works, visit coldcap.com.