Aesthetic
5 Step Program Proven Effectiveness
Use of Bio-Stimulants & Emulsifying Lotions
- Step 1: Local Stage
- Step 2: Structural Stage
- Step 3: Development Stage
- Step 4: Phase Out
- Sept 5: Maintenance
Chemotherapy Related Hair Loss
Dr.
Meakin answers questions on ETG
A recent pilot study conducted in Auckland, New Zealand,
and published in
Psycho-Oncology Volume 11: 244 ¨C 248 (2002), with women undergoing CMF
chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, has demonstrated the effectiveness
of ETG in reducing chemotherapy induced excessive hair loss.
Dr. Tim Meakin, one of the clinical investigators, responds
to questions posed by
Carol A. Clark, R.N., Clinical Trials Coordinator.
CC/Question 1: Dr. Meakin, I am very encouraged with the positive results of your study.
I know that the loss of hair as a result of chemotherapy
treatment is a most distressing
side effect. Can you tell me how frequently excessive hair loss occurs
with CMF
chemotherapy treatments?
Dr. Meakin: This particular regimen is responsible for
hair loss in 56-90% of patients
undergoing therapy. In one study I looked at patients had a mean severity
of 50% hair loss.
CC/Question 2: What effect can losing their hair this way have on women?
Dr. Meakin: Some women perceive the loss of their hair
as worse than losing a breast
to surgery because it is such a visible loss. Studies report that for
many women
undergoing chemotherapy, alopecia (hair loss) was the most traumatic side
effect of
chemotherapy.
CC/Question 3: Do women refuse chemotherapy treatment because of potential hair loss?
Dr. Meakin: Patients have certainly been known to refuse
lifesaving drugs because they
could not face the prospect of temporary or prolonged baldness.
CC/Question 4: What kind of emotional responses do you
see in women as a result of a
diagnosis of breast cancer?
Dr. Meakin: Common responses to a diagnosis of breast
cancer and its ensuing treatment
are depression, anxiety, hostility, decreased self-esteem, and loss of
personal control.
Alopecia as a result of cancer chemotherapy is a major
source of negative changes to
self-concept and body image.
CC/Question 5: In your opinion will the availability of
ETG Treatments to women undergoing
chemotherapy for breast cancer help with this loss of self-esteem?
Dr. Meakin: I believe that it could be most beneficial.
We do not have any other effective
treatment available at this time.
CC/Question 6: Can you share something of what the women
in your study had to say
about the ETG treatment they received?
Dr. Meakin: Yes, I can share some of their comments with
you. For example, one woman said:
"The feeling that I could do something for reducing hair loss gave
me a lot of confidence during
my chemotherapy treatment." Another said: "At a time when people
are doing things to you,
usually unpleasant, ETG was a positive self-help, no side effects treatment,
which I hope will
be made more widely available."The loss of hair is one of the mostly
anticipated and unwanted
side effects of chemotherapy. The women in our study group generally felt
more confident about
having chemotherapy with the availability of the ETG Treatment.
CC/Question 7: I understand you took photographs during the study, what did they show?
Dr. Meakin: We took photographs of our patients before
chemotherapy and then following the
final chemotherapy treatment, and they show that the patients kept their
hair.
The data from the New Zealand study has been published
in a peer-reviewed medical journal
Psycho-Oncology, Volume 11: 244- 248 (2002).