A HUDDERSFIELD company will showcase its internationally renowned system for reducing hair loss in cancer patients at a major medical conference in Switzerland.

Fenay Bridge-based Paxman Coolers Ltd will showcase its scalp cooling system before an audience of oncologists and worldwide cancer specialists at the St Gallen Breast Cancer Conference this week.

The company developed the system to reduce hair loss for patients during chemotherapy – helping to improve patient’s self-confidence and enabling them to retain their dignity.

Scalp cooling works by reducing the flow of blood to the hair follicles during peak plasma concentration of the relevant chemotherapy agent.

Cancer chemotherapy affects rapidly dividing cells and at any given time, 90% of human hair follicles are in the actively dividing phase. Hair loss frequently occurs due to partial or total atrophy of the hair root bulb, causing constriction of the hair shaft, which then breaks off easily.

Paxman Coolers’ Orbis I & II systems aim to help patients live an unrestricted life during an already traumatic time – with 70% to 90% of users not requiring a wig after using the system.

With the system already enhancing the lives of thousands of patients around the world, operations director Richard Paxman is hoping the conference will raise the awareness of scalp cooling among the visiting oncologists.

He said: “Attending St Gallen is vital to enable us to build awareness of our life enhancing system and gain feedback from some of the most well respected and renowned oncologists in the world.

“With a number of clinical trials currently ongoing globally it’s an exciting time for us and we’re looking forward to a successful week.”

The conference coincides with a two-year clinical trial of the equipment in Switzerland, which is being run in conjunction with Sanofi-Aventis, a leading pharmaceutical company. The four-day conference, which starts tomorrow will be attended by more than 5,000 delegates from more than 100 countries.