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Have you ever heard of Scalp Cooling? In this episode, we sit down with Madison Novice, co-founder of Cap and Conquer, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about Cold Cap Therapy. Maddie joins us to delve into the nuanced topic of body image in the context of cancer treatment. From the diverse impacts of surgeries to common fears about chemotherapy-induced alopecia, we get to hear from someone about her personal and professional experiences with Cold Cap Therapy and what drives her passion for working in this space. Tune in for this insightful conversation that sheds light on the intersection of medicine, beauty, and self-esteem!

Check out the Cap and Conquer website for more information about their amazing organization: https://capandconquer.org/

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Show Notes:

Guest Intro: Maddie is a medical student at the University of Michigan, heading to Dermatology residency. She’s dedicated to raising awareness about Cold Cap Therapy through Cap & Conquer.

Body image in the context of cancer treatment is multifaceted and not one-size-fits-all.

Different treatments, such as surgeries and chemotherapy, can impact body image differently.

Body Image refers to the mental picture individuals have of their bodies, including emotions, beauty, and social aspects.

Extensive research has been conducted on the effects of cancer treatments on body image.

Studies have focused on surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and their associated side effects.

Alopecia, or hair loss, is a common side effect of chemotherapy.

Over half of cancer patients fear chemotherapy-induced alopecia the most.

Hair loss can lead to lower self-esteem and even sexual dysfunction, particularly in younger women.

Various methods have been explored to mitigate hair loss during chemotherapy.

These include minoxidil creams, vitamin D3 supplements, scalp compression, and scalp cooling therapy (SCT).

Sources:

Cap & Conquer. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.capandconquer.org/about-us

Brederecke J, Heise A, Zimmermann T. Body image in patients with different types of cancer. PLoS One. 2021 Nov 29;16(11):e0260602. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260602. PMID: 34843586; PMCID: PMC8629249.

Hoyle RH, Davisson EK, Novice ML. Relations between protective traits and psychological distress among women experiencing infertility. Journal of Health Psychology. 2022;27(2):397-407. doi:10.1177/1359105320953466

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