Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: Examining Patient Perceptions and Adherence to Home Haircare Recommendations

Background: Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is one of the most distressing side effects experienced by patients with cancer. Although most chemotherapy-induced alopecia is temporary, this side effect can cause significant anxiety and may lead to refusal of curative treatment.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine patient perceptions and measure adherence to haircare recommendations throughout the course of treatment while using scalp cooling therapy in addition to learning which haircare recommendations were the most onerous.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational and descriptive study that used repeated-measures survey data. Participants completed electronic surveys during each treatment corresponding with the current treatment phase.

Findings: Final survey results revealed that most participants adhered to haircare recommendations with little difficulty and that the recommendations had an insignificant impact on daily lives.