Onco Hair 2, the project in Brescia that donates hair to women fighting cancer

Thirty women who have to face the chemotherapy to defeat the breast cancer will have at their disposal, in the context of a clinical study, as many so-called CNC trichological prostheses (Natural hair in contact). After the project implemented at the Milan Polyclinic, it is about to start in Brescia Onco Hair 2studio created for support patients in the course of therapy for breast cancer. According to the cancer numbers in Italy in 2023, the most frequent cancers in the female population are breast cancers, with 55,900 new cases diagnosed, 30% of all diagnoses.

Thanks to the support of Foundation of the Brescia Community – in particular to donors close to the Foundation and seven patrimonial funds – and to the collaboration of CRLAB, Komen Italy will donate to the 30 women involved in the investigation – in which the Poliavventura Foundation, ASST Ospedali Civili di Brescia and ASST Garda participate – a medical device which is much more than a traditional wig.

“It’s about a highly personalized hair prosthesisa unique product created entirely within the CRLAB laboratories in Zola Predosa (Bologna) and from here exported all over the globe – he explains Angelo D’AndreaCEO CRLAB – is created using natural and virgin hair, untreated, hand inserted one at a time into a thin patented biocompatible polymer membrane. The production process involves 39 phases and is entirely certified according to the ISO 9001:2008 standard.”

The garrison determines a measurable benefit for patients: a pilot study carried out by Salute Donna Onlus and conducted at the National Cancer Institute of Milan measured in 10 points improvement on BIS scale (body image scale, ranging from 0 to 30) the positive impact for patients with recurrent breast cancer and recurrent alopecia who use this device instead of a wig. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is indeed considered by 47% of women to be the most traumatic aspect of the entire treatment process, so much so that 8% of them would like to refuse them precisely to avoid this loss. The CNC prosthesis allows the wearer an absolutely normal life, it becomes an integral part of the body, it should not be removed at night and allows you to swim, tying up one’s hair and even extreme cases such as having it pulled.

«We decided to promote this project to also support those with less economic strength in an important battle such as the one against cancer – he explains Mario Mistretta, president of the Bresciana Community Foundation – as the women who joined the first edition of the project testified, the CNC (Natural Hair in Contact) medical device has an important impact on the psychological well-being of those who are fighting against cancer. Scientific evidence shows that the state of mind is fundamental to face this war for life and for many women hair loss represents a very deep psychological vulnerability. We are happy to be able to help those who are facing such a delicate phase in life.”

It also highlights the usefulness of the CNC (Natural Contact Hair) prosthesis for patients Alessandra Huscher, president of the Lombardy Committee of Komen Italia and head of the Breast Unit – Poliaccademia Brescia Foundation: «We are very happy to be able to offer, thanks to the generosity of many, important and concrete help to our patients in the complex path of the disease», he explains. «For all of us operators it is very important to have the possibility of evaluating the benefits of an additional device available to support our patients in such a complex path, within a scientific study that guarantees the working method and quality of the results». The 30 women will be included in the survey according to specific criteria and will receive their custom-made prosthesis in a defined timeframe compatible with their clinical needs.

From the collection of testimonials important words emerge from women who wear or have worn the CRLAB prosthetic system during their battle: «When I received the diagnosis of aggressive breast cancer, about a year ago, the hair loss due to chemotherapy that I had to face was was among the main reasons for anguish – he said Milena, 49 years old, treated in Brescia – I didn’t want to appear sick in the eyes of others, I didn’t want to be seen stripped of my hair in the battle against my illness by my husband, my son, my parents, nor by myself in the mirror. With the CNC prosthesis (Natural Contact Hair) I have never felt ill. It arrived just when my first hair began to fall out and I managed to avoid the trauma of experiencing that loss. My colleagues, I didn’t miss a day of work other than those when I was having chemotherapy, they didn’t realize that the hair wasn’t mine, I went to the swimming pool, out to dinner, without ever having to face even a questioning look or of commiseration and this gave me so much strength and security. My body fortunately responded very well to the treatment and I really think that the Not seeing me sick helped give me the determination needed to face the journey».

A phase of the creation of the prosthesis

Words of support come from the councilor for education, training and work of the Lombardy region, Simona Tironi: «I am extremely happy that Onco Hair has arrived in Brescia too, an initiative that I have strongly wanted since I was vice-president of the Health Commission in the Regional Council. My commitment in recent years has been to modify some of our laws to make the costs of implants more accessible to as many women as possible. People who face a difficult and difficult path of illness must be supported not only with clinical tools, but also with fully psychological support. The woman who loses her hair is that woman who often chooses not to follow chemotherapy treatments because hair loss has too much of an impact on her self-perception and everyday life. Today trichological aids represent an important aid, giving the woman more confidence during her illness and giving her that extra strength to face the treatments. The trichological prosthesis has a deeper value, it allows the woman every time she looks in the mirror not only to see the disease, but also to see her beauty and her inner strength.”