In a heartening display of resilience and innovation, Sudbury resident Suzane Joseph-Sterner has defied conventional expectations, preserving her hair during her battle with breast cancer through a little-known treatment called cold capping. This alternative approach, not commonly offered in hospitals and not covered by insurance, involves the application of freezing caps to the scalp before, during, and after chemotherapy sessions.
Suzane’s daughter, Sabrina Savage, played a pivotal role in discovering the treatment, subsequently administering the procedure throughout her mother’s treatment journey. Although the process initially posed discomfort, Suzane gradually adapted to the icy sensation, finding solace and motivation in the preservation of her hair amidst the tribulations of her cancer treatment.
While the technique has shown promise in retaining hair for certain types of chemotherapy, Sudbury oncologist Dr. Abhenil Mittal emphasized the variability in its efficacy, often contingent on the specific chemotherapy regimen and duration. Notably, the out-of-pocket expenses associated with the treatment have led to disparities in access, creating a barrier for many patients seeking to explore this option.
Suzane’s experience serves as a beacon of hope, underscoring the potential of lesser-known treatments to empower patients during their arduous battles against cancer. As awareness grows around the efficacy and nuances of cold capping, its impact on the emotional and psychological well-being of cancer patients becomes increasingly apparent, encouraging individuals to explore this alternative with the guidance of their healthcare providers.