Local Cancer Center Helping Patients Improve How They Look And Feel During Treatment
By Lynne Adkins
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Cancer treatment can take a toll on the body, affecting how a patient feels and looks. A local center was designed to make patients feel beautiful.
At the Image Recovery Center at the Cancer Treatment Centers Of America in Philadelphia, patients learn how to deal with the effects chemotherapy and radiation treatments on the skin, hair, nails and body.
Salon supervisor Denise Hoagland says it starts at the top.
"We offer a complimentary head shave for our patients -- we call it the celebratory first hair cut," says Hoagland. "When a patient finishes or is about to go through chemotherapy and we celebrate this moment with our patients so they feel better about what they're going through so they can feel better about it.
They can get facials, massages, and get fitted for post-mastectomy forms and garments.
"We have a certified mastectomy fitter to offer post surgical breast products and that consists of custom breast prostheses, light weight forms and different enhancers for post surgical bras and camisoles for patients."
Patients also learn how to deal with skin irritation and thinning hair.
