The incidence of cancer continues to rise worldwide, according to the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO, 2018), with more than 18 million new cases currently reported.

The Mexican situation is no different. According to data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), 147,985 new cases occur in Mexico each year, and it is estimated that this number will increase by 50%, exceeding 220,000 by 2025. This situation is due to various factors, such as the aging of the population, and is also linked to economic and social development.

Treatment varies according to the type of cancer and its progression in each individual. Among the most common is chemotherapy, which aims to halt the disease, slow its growth, or reduce the chances of recurrence.

The drugs used for chemotherapy travel through the blood to reach the entire body and destroy cancer cells. Unfortunately, they can also damage some normal cells, causing side effects such as fatigue, bruising and bleeding, infections, skin changes, and kidney problems, among others.

On a psychological level, hair loss is one of the most devastating changes for those undergoing chemotherapy. Hair loss begins in the second week after chemotherapy, and hair growth stops.

Although it is a reversible effect, the psychological impact of hair loss, or alopecia, has caused some patients to reconsider treatment. In this sense, applying scalp cooling systems during the process represents a reliable solution that minimizes hair loss.

A report presented by the WHO in 2018 indicates that globally, one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer during their lifetime.

By applying cold through a silicone cap, the blood vessels around the hair follicles constrict, resulting in less chemotherapy reaching the hair cells, dramatically reducing hair loss.

In this context, with the DigniCap system, the Swedish firm Dignitana aims to position itself as a benchmark in scalp cooling systems and make it a regular part of chemotherapy treatments worldwide, thereby reducing or eliminating hair loss in cancer patients.

The development of this medical device is based on clinical experience and patient records. It consists of an adjustable silicone cap, whose function is to cool the scalp to reduce the thickness of blood vessels (vasoconstriction) and, consequently, decrease blood flow, preventing the administered drugs from contaminating the hair follicles, making hair loss less likely.

A neoprene cover is placed over the silicone cap to prevent leakage and achieve an optimal fit on the patient's head. The cooling cap is connected by a hose to a system unit where the cooling time and temperature (from 5°C to 3°C) are regulated.

The DigniCap is used before, during, and after chemotherapy. The cap is worn for 20 minutes before starting chemotherapy, during the duration prescribed by the treating physician, and for 90 to 150 minutes (depending on the drug) after the end of chemotherapy.

According to international medical evidence, eight out of 10 people are satisfied with the results obtained and no longer need to wear an oncology wig. Patients also enjoy a better quality of life and noticeably improve their self-image.

In Mexico, Celeritas Trading & Consulting has held exclusive rights to the DigniCap system since its introduction in 2010. Their ongoing efforts have successfully treated more than a thousand patients.