'I was just told I had to lose my hair'

The Eddie Mair Interview

For six months on PM, we heard from Steve Hewlett every Monday as he chronicled his experience of oesophageal cancer. In his very first conversation, last September, he introduced us to the "cold cap".

Many listeners told us they also experienced the "cold cap", but they're not available in every part of the UK.

"Cold caps" or "scalp cooling" can prevent or lessen hair loss which occurs during chemotherapy.

Claire McQuillan is having chemotherapy for a second time. She tells Eddie Mair she can’t have "cold cap" treatment in Northern Ireland.

The Health and Social Care Board (HSCNI) there says the evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of the caps is not sufficient for them to be routinely commissioned.

(Photo courtesy of the McQuillan family)