A CHESTER woman is one of several hundred people with cancer who have benefited from a piece of technology which helps reduce or prevent hair loss when undergoing chemotherapy.

The Walk the Walk charity is raising awareness of the Scalp Cooler machines as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Scalp Coolers can prevent or reduce hair loss for people undergoing certain types of chemotherapy treatment.

For many patients, losing their hair is the most visible sign of their treatment for cancer and can have a huge impact on their self-esteem. Keeping their hair can help people retain their identity, as well as a small sense of normality.

Samantha McGimpsey, 44, from Hoole, Chester, was diagnosed with two types of breast cancer almost four years ago, and used a Scalp Cooler during parts of her chemotherapy treatment.

She said: "I used the scalp cooler for five and a half months, and my hair started growing back straight away in patches where I'd initially lost it.

"I would definitely recommend the Scalp Coolers to other patients having chemo, as I have done. Personally, I'm glad I persevered with it."

As hair loss is not considered life-threatening, NHS funding for Scalp Coolers is not a priority.

Over the last 12 years, grants have been made by Walk the Walk for 625 machines in 247 hospitals across the country, including to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Wirral.

The charity is committed to removing the postcode lottery and offering more and more people the choice of using the machines.

Nina Barough CBE, founder and chief executive of Walk the Walk, said: "Losing your hair whilst having chemotherapy is often the final straw for many cancer patients and can be completely debilitating.

"Over the past 12 years Walk the Walk has worked incredibly hard towards removing the postcode lottery that has meant in some areas, cancer patients were unable to receive the choice of this treatment.

"It has been very important to us that we grant Scalp Coolers to as many NHS Hospital Trusts throughout the UK as possible.

"We believe that everybody should have the choice of using one of these amazing machines.

"I'm delighted that Samantha McGimpsey was able to use one of the Pink Walk the Walk Scalp Coolers at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

"And a huge thank you to all the wonderful women and men who took part in The MoonWalks for raising the funds to enable this to happen."

Walk the Walk is best known for its famous MoonWalks, when walkers take on marathon challenges in London, Edinburgh and Iceland at Midnight wearing brightly decorated bras.

For more information, visit www.walkthewalk.org.