Chemotherapy is the most common cancer treatment utilised in Australia that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body. Although chemotherapy is an effective method to treat many different types of cancer, it does carry its own risks and side effects. One of these risks that can occur with cancer or cancer treatment is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). For those who experience CIPN due to chemotherapy drugs, 7 out of 10 people will experience some symptoms one month after treatment while 3 out of 10 people will have ongoing symptoms six months after their treatment commences.*
CIPN can negatively impact or cause damage to the body’s peripheral nerves. These peripheral nerves are located away from the centre of the body, and they are important in carrying sensations or neurological messages to and from the spine and the brain. These messages allow you to control movements and have feeling in different parts of the body such as the feet, hands, arms, and legs. Often when this occurs, a person may experience weakness, numbness, tingling sensations like pins and needles, discomfort and burning. However, peripheral neuropathy can affect people in different ways and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Additionally, these symptoms may start during therapy or after therapy and they may be temporary or permanent. Symptoms often differ depending on the type of chemotherapy drug used.
Research has found that not managing CIPN can greatly impact a person’s quality of life. So, what can you be doing to help prevent and reduce your risk of the cell damage that causes peripheral neuropathy?
Studies suggest that cooling and compression can have a preventative effect on CIPN. A recent study by Michael and his colleagues (2022) (# insert study reference) found that cooling through frozen gloves was highly effective in preventing grade 2 or more CIPN for patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. This study showed that ice gloves and socks during chemotherapy almost halved the risk of grade 2 or higher CIPN. These clinical studies are playing an important role in the health and wellbeing of cancer survivors and helping patients manage this common side effect of Chemotherapy.
Aurora Direct now offers Ice Cold Socks and Gloves for a convenient way to apply icy cool temperatures to your fingers, hands, wrists, ankles, feet, heels, and nail beds for those affected by neuropathy, arthritis, inflammation, localised injury, swelling or soreness. This means that you can conveniently apply cold or if needed heat to peripheral areas of the body that are experiencing these uncomfortable sensations. These products also provide you with a convenient, reusable, flexible gel ice packs that can be fastened to your wrists or worn on the feet before, during or after chemotherapy treatment.
Whether you are just starting or are well into your treatment journey, do not wait until the side effects of chemo become an issue, interrupt your treatment, or become a long-term problem needing ongoing management. These Ice Cold treatment options are an excellent solution to apply icy cold in order to help patients try to address neuropathy symptoms. These Ice Cold Gloves and Socks with bag can be easily taken with you to chemotherapy appointments. Click here to shop the Ice Cold Gloves and Socks today.
