Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is widely recognised as one of the most traumatic side effects associated with cancer treatment.
For many patients, hair loss can have a detrimental impact on their sense of identity – a visible sign that they have cancer. In fact 8% of female cancer patients say they would decline treatment for fear of hair loss.
Scalp cooling is a well-accepted treatment throughout the world and British based Paxman are at the very heart of this with their market-leading scalp cooling system used to minimise hair loss in connection with chemotherapy treatment. In March 2019, the company’s efforts achieved the inclusion of scalp cooling in the globally recognised NCCN national cancer care guidelines in the USA, followed by inclusion in the Australian guidelines in September 2020.
Richard Paxman, CEO at Paxman, explains: “Scalp cooling is now widely recognised as the most effective treatment for hair loss, and the treatment can be used with all solid tumour cancers.
“It can result in a high level of retention or in some cases completely preserve the hair for patients undergoing chemotherapy – a chance for them to retain their sense of self while encouraging a positive attitude towards treatment.”
Based in Huddersfield, Paxman was founded by Glenn Paxman following his wife Sue Paxman’s hair loss in connection with chemotherapy treatment. Glenn realised that there were shortcomings in the existing methods for scalp cooling and developed a liquid-based system together with his brother.
Today, Glenn and Sue’s son Richard Paxman is the CEO of Paxman, and their daughter Claire Paxman holds the position as the company’s Director of Strategic Initiatives. Their understanding of how important it is for cancer patients to keep their hair, and thereby a certain amount of control over their daily lives, is reflected in all of Paxman’s business operations. The company’s vision is to make the technology available for all cancer patients worldwide.
Richard said: “Knowing first-hand the effects that both cancer and its treatment can have on patients, friends and families, our business is much more than just a job. We aim to make a difference to people’s lives by raising awareness about scalp cooling and establishing the cold cap as common practice for all patients undergoing treatment.”
“The Paxman Scalp Cooling System provides an alternative to hair loss during chemotherapy and a cost-effective system widely embraced by doctors, nurses and patients across the world,” Richard adds.
Research and development
To remain at the forefront of innovation Paxman has invested substantially in research and development. The company has conducted several successful clinical studies with leading clinics and cancer centres all over the world, including the world’s first randomised multicentre study with a scalp cooling system.
In 2019 Paxman signed a five-year agreement with the University of Huddersfield to establish the world’s first scalp cooling research and development centre. The £1m initiative was set up to focus on biological hair follicle research as well as developing innovative scalp cooling-related treatments and individual 3D-printed cooling caps.
“Paxman is the only hair loss-preventing scalp cooling provider firmly based on biological research. We are also taking an important step towards achieving our zero hair loss vision,” Richard highlights
“With the treatment currently available in multiple continents, we hope to unite and empower many more patients, professionals and other people all over the world – especially in places where hair loss remains a stigma. We want to help improve patients’ self-confidence in facing what can be one of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy – and give them a choice.”
Paxman’s clinically proven cold cap system has helped over 100,000 cancer patients worldwide to retain their hair during chemotherapy, Presently, the system is used at a large number of cancer centres and hospitals in Europe, North-, Central- and South America, Asia and Oceania, and more installs are added continuously.
With over 3,500 delivered systems and active in over 35 markets, Paxman has established itself as the leading player in its field.
The Company is also involved in a collaborative research project with the National University, Singapore to develop a cooling product to prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) - nerve damage in hands and feet. This creates substantial synergies for Paxman in both product development and global marketing/sales of cooling devices in the oncology market.
To find out more visit www.paxmanscalpcooling.com