Cancer Survivorship

A diagnosis of cancer can feel overwhelming and the thought of having chemotherapy even more so. Fortunately, cancers have become more treatable. There has never been a better time to feel hopeful. As chemotherapy becomes more effective, more people benefit. This has changed how we think about cancer. Over one million people receive outpatient chemotherapy in the United States each year, and many more worldwide. As more people benefit from chemotherapy, side effects are also experienced by more people. Attention is turning towards reducing these effects. This type of focus is called survivorship care. As more people move beyond their treatments, survivorship has become a very important discipline. Minimizing the long term effects of any therapy enhances the health and happiness of individuals as they get back to their regular routines.

Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy

One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is peripheral neuropathy or damage to the nerves in the hands and feet. What does neuropathy feel like? Neuropathy can cause pain, cramps, numbness and loss of coordination. “Peripheral neuropathy doesn’t have to be a side effect of chemotherapy” according to Dr. Constanze Rayhrer FACS, Breast Surgeon. ”Cooling the hands and feet during chemotherapy is proven to reduce both temporary and permanent neuropathy.“ Until now, there has been no standard way to safely cool the extremities during the 5 hours of cancer treatment. Patients often sandwich their hands and feet between frozen peas or ice packs and some place them in ice water baths. These methods are harsh and can cause frostbite, which in turn can lead to neuropathy.

The Solution

“Unlike ice methods,” explains Dr. Rayhrer ”my solution is easy to use, cools only as much as needed and is comfortable.” The Polar Paws device is programed to cool at the right temperature for the duration of treatment without risk of frostbite. It uses circulating cool air technology instead of ice. The Polar Paws device measures the skin temperature during operation and keeps the temperature within the therapeutic range needed for nerve protection.

Dr Rayhrer believes everyone receiving chemotherapy should have this device available to them. Chemotherapy causes temporary neuropathy in as many as 70% of people and permanent neuropathy in 25%. Cooling has been shown to reduce the number of temporary neuropathy to 40% and permanent neuropathy to only 1% of people.

The Polar Paws device has patent protection in the USA, Canada and 20 European countries. It is undergoing engineering refinement in Switzerland. It will be available soon.

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