Hair to Stay Program
Advancing the science of hair preservation
Who - Why - How
Temporary hair loss is one of the most distressing and traumatic side effects of chemotherapy. Women with chemotherapy induced alopecia report lower self-esteem, poorer body image, and a lower quality of life. (Munstedt K et al. Support Care Cancer, 1997).
The Hair to Stay program was an innovative program at UCSF focused on evaluating hair-saving devices for patients receiving chemotherapy. The program funded two studies, the Dignitana studies for FDA approval of the DigniCap device, as well as a registry study of patients who chose to use Penguin Cold Caps during their treatment.
For the Penguin Cold Caps Registry Study, UCSF provided critical -35˚C freezers for cap storage & infusion treatments, coordinated freezer accommodations, created a post-infusion lounge for patients, and collected data regarding the efficacy and safety of the caps.
In addition coordinating over 50 trial patient's treatment schedules and data collection, I educated potential registry patients on the caps and UCSF resources, providing additional guides and information for optimal success. As a nationally prominent cold cap support program, I responded to many inquiries from patients around the country.
After organizing and presenting the program's registry results and supportive accomplishments to the funders, we received additional financial support to expand the registry from a breast-cancer-only to a cancer-center wide program. Subsequently I worked with hospital admin to buy and certify additional freezers, establish a dedicated, quiet lounge space for patients to finish their cold cap treatments post-infusion, and submitted the necessary regulatory updates so the registry trial could capture data on all cold cap users at UCSF, regardless of diagnosis.
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2012
Poster presentation of registry results
Efficacy and Safety of Scalp Cooling Treatment (PCCT) for Alopecia Prevention in Women Receiving Chemotherapy (CTX) for Breast Cancer
Serrurier K, Glencer A, Hwang J, Esserman LJ, Rugo HS, Melisko M. Efficacy and safety of scalp cooling treatment for alopecia prevention in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2012 December 4-8; San Antonio, TX.
Taste for the Cure Event
Hair to Stay Poster Presentation
Taste for the Cure is a public event put on by the UCSF Breast Care Center. The event panel discussions with UCSF clinician and researchers, gives science and cooking demonstrations, and provides information about programs and resources offered by the Breast Care Center.
As the Hair to Stay program coordinator, I created the informational poster oriented at educating the public, and fielded all questions from attendees.
Breast Care Center Newsletter
Authored Feature Article (p.3)
The UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center Newsletter is a bi-annual newsletter for patients, caregivers, and employees.
I was asked to write an article highlighting the Hair to Stay Program, it's successes to date as well as future plans for expansion. To highlight the program's impact, I interviewed multiple participants in compliance with HIPAA and other regulations.