Latest news with #Taxol
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Dr Elisabeth Whipp, innovative oncologist who spoke out on television against ‘postcode prescribing'
Dr Elisabeth Whipp, who has died aged 77, was a leading oncologist who was suspended from Bristol Royal Infirmary in 2002 for carrying out an unapproved form of radiotherapy treatment; she was later cleared of wrongdoing, amid suggestions that her real transgression had been to make public criticisms of the vagaries of NHS funding. She made headlines in 1997 when she spoke out in an edition of Channel 4's Dispatches against the increasing prevalence of 'postcode prescribing'. She had been treating two breast cancer patients with the drug Taxol; one was from Taunton, and her treatment was funded by the Somerset Health Authority, but the second woman, from Bristol, had to negotiate an overdraft to raise £10,000 to pay for the drugs herself. 'There is always embarrassment about patients having to buy a drug,' Liz Whipp complained. 'After many years in the NHS I'm not used to bargaining with money.' In response, the Avon Health Authority argued that the money was more urgently needed for breast-care nurses. Liz Whipp was back in the news in early 2003 when it emerged that she had been suspended some weeks earlier amid questions over the experimental radiotherapy she had been prescribing. Previously, the location of tumour beds had been difficult to pinpoint and radiation had to be directed over the whole breast, with care taken to keep the dose low enough to minimise the risk of damaging the heart. Liz Whipp's innovation had been to use newly developed MRI scanners to locate the tumour beds more precisely and then target higher doses of radiation at a smaller area. Some of her colleagues considered that she was underestimating the risks that these higher doses posed, and Bristol Royal Infirmary took the decision to investigate her for carrying out treatment that had not been authorised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). 'If we allow unfettered clinical freedom to take place we will end up with situations where patients will receive treatments which are not in accordance with Nice guidance,' a hospital spokesman insisted. Liz Whipp suggested in later life, however, that certain male colleagues had not approved of her breaking the omerta around NHS funding and had been waiting for an opportunity to take her down a peg. She was suspected of having broken rules by encouraging patients to complain to their MPs about NHS restrictions on the availability of drugs such as Herceptin. The suspension of Liz Whipp became a cause célèbre, with the shadow health secretary Liam Fox arguing that she was the victim of an NHS culture that victimised whistleblowers: 'I can't see any case to say this doctor acted in an unprofessional way. In fact, it seems to have been quite the opposite and she has acted in the interest of her patients. Dr Whipp has been suspended for what we regard as totally spurious reasons.' Her former patients queued up to praise her. One 77-year-old man told the press: 'She is an extremely compassionate woman and very sympathetic. She was the best doctor I could have had and I think that she saved my life.' Liz Whipp – who pointed out that, of 542 patients given the experimental treatment, only two had seen their cancer return – claimed that she had in fact always followed Nice guidelines. Nevertheless she was suspended for nearly two years while the United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust investigated her. She was completely exonerated, but although she returned to work she was deeply pained by the experience and grieved by the thought that many patients had died unnecessarily while her treatment programme was on hold. The daughter of Brian Whipp, an academic, Elisabeth Clare Whipp was born on September 9 1947. She read medicine at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, and worked at the London Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital before moving to Bristol in the early 1980s. As a long-serving radiotherapy consultant at the Royal Infirmary's Haematology and Oncology Centre, Liz Whipp gained a reputation for speaking her mind. In 1983 she made waves by criticising Prince Charles for visiting the Bristol Cancer Help Centre, a charity that was advocating the rejection of orthodox medicine in favour of alternative treatments: 'I do feel strongly about the Prince of Wales making a Royal tour of something that's full of bogus notions.' She became renowned for her innovative thinking, which was not confined to the development of radiotherapy. Convinced that the mental welfare of patients played a large role in their recovery, she appointed a clinical psychologist, Dr James Brennan, to work with her at Bristol; this was the first full-time clinical psychology post in cancer services in the NHS. Experience taught her that when it came to coping with cancer, 'single women… do better, because they tend to have women friends, whereas a lot of married women have husbands they can't talk to about health.' Described by one friend as 'a statuesque woman, combining a pre-Raphaelite beauty with the charisma of a Valkyrie', Liz Whipp was a keen painter and a fine pianist and singer: on one occasion she found herself in a musical duel with Germaine Greer, competing to see who could give the better rendering of the Queen of the Night's aria from The Magic Flute. She had recently finished the first draft of a gleefully horrific thriller, utilising her medical background to devise a series of especially gruesome murders. She created a beautiful garden at her home in Clifton, finding room in a relatively small space for a pool of koi carp, a stream, quiet pathways, a grotto and a bamboo grove. Her wide circle of friends was treated to extravagant garden parties complete with fireworks. On one occasion a neighbour disgruntled by the noise spitefully padlocked the gates at the end of her drive to inconvenience the guests – a futile gesture, as no guest at one of Liz Whipp's parties left until they absolutely had to. Elisabeth Whipp, born September 9 1947, died April 26 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
WebMD
06-05-2025
- Health
- WebMD
Scalp Care During Chemo
One of my cancer treatments was paclitaxel, also known as Taxol. From the beginning, my doctor informed me that one of the likely side effects would be hair loss. She explained that the rate of hair loss varies from person to person and mentioned something called 'cold capping' that might help prevent some of it. At that time, cold capping wasn't covered by my insurance, so it wasn't an option for me. After my second infusion, I noticed my hair falling out at a noticeable rate. That's when I decided to cut it shorter to make the loss less apparent. However, the inevitable happened – chunks of hair were left on my pillowcase and in the shower. I eventually chose to shave my head to avoid the emotional and mental anguish of losing my hair piece by piece. As someone who always enjoyed having long, full hair, these changes were challenging, uncomfortable, and deeply emotional. However, I learned ways to care for my scalp and bring myself comfort during this phase of my treatment. The Effects of Chemotherapy on the Scalp Chemotherapy affects hair follicles, causing hair to fall out and leaving the scalp tender, sensitive, and dry. Here are the steps I took to care for my scalp during this time: 1. Gentle Cleansing Using a mild, fragrance-free cleanser made a big difference in reducing irritation. Harsh chemicals or strong fragrances can cause additional sensitivity, so it's important to choose products designed for sensitive skin. If you're unsure, a dermatologist can provide recommendations. 2. Hydration Keeping my scalp hydrated was essential to preventing further dryness and discomfort. I loved using organic aloe vera gel, which I bought from Amazon – it was soothing and effective. I also used a small amount of leave-in conditioner, which felt more like applying lotion. Even without hair, this helped keep my scalp moisturized and comfortable. Be sure to check product labels to avoid hidden fragrances that might cause irritation. 3. Sun Protection Protecting your scalp from the sun is incredibly important since it becomes more vulnerable without hair. I used sunscreen specifically designed for sensitive skin, avoiding strong fragrances to minimize irritation. 4. Accessories Wearing a wig, beanie, or head wrap can offer both protection and comfort. It's important to ensure these items are clean to avoid irritation. Many local cancer centers or the American Cancer Society offer free accessories, so be sure to check with them. A Note on Emotional Well-Being Losing your hair is much more than just a physical change. It comes with an emotional toll that's deeply personal. Everyone's relationship with their hair is different, and so is the process of grieving its loss. It's important to remember that it's not 'just hair,' and it's OK to feel whatever emotions come up. Be gentle with yourself and prioritize your mental well-being. There's no right or wrong way to navigate this journey. If you feel overwhelmed, consider reaching out to your local cancer center for resources and support groups. There is a community ready to help you through this.
