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Mater cancer patients benefit from scalp cooling system

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The generosity of Mater supporters across Queensland is helping to transform healthcare for patients at Mater Cancer Care Centre at South Brisbane.

Almost $1 million of cutting-edge medical equipment is being delivered to the centre this year thanks to community donations to Mater Foundation.

The equipment includes a scalp cooling system to help alternative hair loss in cancer patients having chemotherapy treatment.

Mater Clinical Nurse Consultant Ash Mondolo said the scalp cooler enabled a higher level of hair retention, and even complete preservation in some cases.

She said this could improve the self-confidence and attitude of patients during their cancer journey.

South Brisbane’s Caitriona Bennett was 30 years old when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year.

Dr Bennett underwent five months of intensive chemotherapy and had surgery to remove 25 lymph nodes.

Her breast cancer journey has also involved a mastectomy, radiation treatment and reconstruction surgery at Mater Private Hospital Brisbane last month.

Now 31, Dr Bennett said the new scalp cooling treatment at the Mater Cancer Care Centre ‘gave me back my dignity’.

“While I knew I would still lose some of my hair, it wasn’t as much as some other patients which can be confronting,” she said.

“The regrowth of my hair has been really amazing – I take photos weekly to see the progress.”