In its constant search to be at the forefront of technology and add new features that improve the quality of life of its users, CASMU announced the acquisition of equipment of British origin that will help prevent hair loss due to chemo-induced alopecia in cancer patients. .
The technical director of the institution, Dr. Nicolás Maseiro, explained that the system, from the firm Paxman, consists of a helmet with a cooling gel distributed throughout the head and an adjustment cap, which fulfills the function of keeping the head stable and uniform temperature on the scalp before, during and after each chemotherapy session.
It is a pioneering technological innovation in Uruguay, which contributes to the quality of life at the psycho-emotional and social level of the patient.
Through computerized control, it seeks to reach a cooling such as to prevent the arrival of the substance used in the treatment to the scalp, as it happens in other parts of the body.
The use of this helmet is aimed at those who have solid breast or ovarian tumors because good results have been seen so far in these cases, although testing the technique in the future in other neoplasms is not ruled out.
Variable results
Regarding the results, the CASMU representative mentioned that “they are variable and depend a lot on factors such as the type of tumor or the volume of hair that the patient has, and that amount may be associated with a more accelerated fall. In any case, he mentioned that experiences in different countries show that between 50% and 80% of people would respond well to treatment, so, in principle, it would be somewhat encouraging. ”
According to Maseiro, with this advance, CASMU will be the first health provider at a national level to offer PAXMAN technology to its users.
“The institution is concerned with innovating at all times, not only in the technological part but also in the various aspects that contribute to guaranteeing excellent care. Obviously, everything related to cancer treatments is one of the main interests of the institution due to its importance. Therefore, when we found out about this equipment, we decided to do everything possible to offer it to users”, he mentioned.
The members of the mutual insurance company will receive this service at no additional cost, since the idea is to reach as many people as possible, as one more additive to the treatment.
British representatives
Within the framework of this investment, CASMU authorities received representatives of the British government, who visited the facilities and learned in depth part of the work carried out by medical and non-medical professionals.
The British delegation was made up of Spencer Mahony, Her Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean; Faye O’Connor, British ambassador to Uruguay; Holly Williamson, Director of Trade Policy for Mercosur, from London; Viviana Morales, commercial assistant at the British Embassy in Uruguay, and Verónica Psetizki, Head of Communications at the British Embassy in the country. For its part, the CASMU Board of Directors was headed by its president, Dr. Raúl Rodríguez.
“At CASMU we are committed to being the best institution in South America in terms of health and for that we seek excellence in technology and knowledge. Therefore, we are ready to carry out exchanges with Great Britain that will enrich both aspects. This institution is the one that does the most research in health in Uruguay and we want to sign agreements to advance even more”, said Rodríguez after the meeting.
For his part, Maseiro considered that “it is not the first time that instances like these have occurred” because abroad they are interested in an institution that stands out at the national and regional level. “Everything that CASMU does to offer the best service to its users puts it in the eye of the world and that is evident at times like this,” he added.
