For Anna, an independent, full-time primary school teacher and Cabrini oncology patient, keeping mobile and active are critical. So, when she was offered the use of an Australian-first controlled cooling system that reduces the likelihood of chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy—a common chemo side effect that can cause pain, numbness and weakness in the hands and feet—she was all in.

Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in March this year and started her chemotherapy treatment in June. While she knew that chemotherapy was necessary to help fight her cancer, the fear of peripheral neuropathy, and how it might impact her very full life, weighed heavily.

“The nerve damage can become quite permanent and that was, and still is, a fear of mine,” Anna said. “But being proactive in my care and using this system makes me feel that I can make cancer just one part of my life instead of making it my whole life.”

Research has shown that cooling significantly reduces the impact of chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy by reducing blood flow and metabolic activity in the cooled areas. And now, Cabrini Brighton and Cabrini Malvern are the first hospitals in Australia to buy and roll out the new Hilotherm ChemoCare controlled cooling hand mittens and foot slippers for patients to use during their chemotherapy treatments.

The ChemoCare system, which also includes a scalp cooling cap, has been used across Europe for some time and is now rolling out in other hospitals around Australia, which is great news for patients using certain types of chemotherapy, Cabrini oncologist Associate Professor Michelle White said.

“Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy can cause pain, numbness and weakness resulting in challenges using your hands, feet and potentially impacting your ability to walk,” A/Prof White said.

“Patients might struggle to fasten buttons, use their mobile phones and they are an increased falls risk. The neuropathy can last months, years and for some patients, their whole lifetime.

“I find that a lot of my early-stage breast cancer patients fear peripheral neuropathy more than any of the other chemo side effects. Research shows that cooling can reduce the impact by about 50 per cent, so this treatment is going to be a game changer for those patients.”

Cabrini’s new Hilotherm ChemoCare systems have been funded by generous donors and will help Cabrini oncology patients maintain quality of life, function and independence during and after their chemotherapy treatments.

For Anna, who used the system for the first time earlier this week, she’s now able to take a more proactive approach to managing the impacts of her chemotherapy.

“Sure, it’s cold when you’ve got the ChemoCare system on, but it’s absolutely manageable,” Anna said. “I’m very grateful to Cabrini and to the kind donors who’ve given me access to this system. It’s very cool.”

Watch the Channel 9 News story featuring Anna, A/Prof White and the ChemoCare system.