Help for little heroes
Character masks ease trauma of children’s cancer treatment
YOUNG cancer patients are being given superhero powers to help them cope with radiotherapy.
Children need to wear tight-fitting masks during the treatment, which can be frightening and claustrophobic.
To make it less daunting, clinical technologists have been making the kids masks in the likeness of their favourite characters, whether it’s Batman, Pikachu, the Hulk, a tiger or a butterfly.
Five-year-old patient Lara loves her fairy princess mask.
She said: “My mask is helping me a lot. I love the painting and jewels on it.
“I love that it is a fairy princess and has my name on it. My mask is lovely and I like that it squashes me tight like mummy cuddling me.”
The made-to-measure masks are worn by kids having radiotherapy on the brain, head or neck. It keeps their head still so the correct area is targeted.
Clinical technologists Fiona McCulloch and Hilary Sturrock have been creating the masks at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow.
The initiative is funded by the Beatson Cancer Charity.
Fiona said: “It’s fantastic to see the positive impact the designs are having and it’s such a pleasure working with patients and creating their ideas and designs.”
Hilary added: “The radiographers treating these patients have commented on the positive impact a personalised mask or device makes to the child’s experience.”