PATIENTS receiving cancer treatment will now have access to state-of-the-art scalp-cooling equipment — thanks to a Bolton charity.

Boot Out Breast Cancer has donated a £24,000 DigniCap system to the Macmillan Cancer Unit at the Leighton NHS Hospital in Crewe.

This piece of equipment, which is designed to help cancer patients avoid chemotherapy-related hair loss, is the first of its kind at an NHS hospital in the UK and was bought using money raised from Boot Out Breast Cancer’s annual ball in March.

It was unveiled by Paralympian cyclist Sarah Storey and Boot Out Breast Cancer founder Debbie Dowie.

Bolton breast cancer survivor Debbie, wife of former footballer Iain, quickly moved to bring DigniCap equipment to the NHS after visiting the US to learn more about medical devises that prevent chemotherapy-related hair loss.

Mrs Dowie said: “I am delighted that we have been able to bring this fantastic technology to Crewe, as in my visits to cancer patients and their oncologists in the US and across the UK, I’ve heard nothing but praise for the DigniCap.

“This system will help us to make a real difference to the lives of cancer patients in the local community.

“My own experience with breast cancer taught me that it is essential to have confidence not only in yourself, but in your medical team and the treatments they recommend as well.

“We want to ensure that anyone with a cancer diagnosis has access to the highest quality cancer care available today.”

The scalp-cooling DigniCap system works by continually monitoring the temperature of the scalp, ensuring comfortable and consistent treatment application. It is designed for a less stressful and more comfortable patient experience.

Ann Dingle, cancer lead at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are grateful to Debbie, Sarah and everybody at Boot Out Breast Cancer for providing us with this life-changing equipment.

“It is fantastic that we have been chosen to receive the DigniCap system, and everybody in the team here is excited at the benefits that having access to this technology will bring to our patients.”