Abstract
Objective
Alopecia is a frequently occurring side effect of chemotherapy and has high impact on many patients. Currently, scalp cooling is the only method to prevent this chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) and it is effective in about half of the patients. Since determinants of the success are largely unknown, all patients should be prepared for potential hair loss. The objective was to provide up-to-date online information about CIA and scalp cooling to support patients in coping with CIA and in their choice regarding scalp cooling.
Methods
Essential aspects of delivering information and lack of information were identified during focus groups, interviews, and a questionnaire survey among cancer patients, and in discussions with nurses.
Results
The obtained information was used to develop a website (www.scalpcooling.org) and a web-based tool. It combines scientific evidence and practical advice about CIA and regrowth of hair, scalp-cooling tolerance, efficacy and safety, as well as an overview of possible advantages and disadvantages. The web-based tool provides tailored information about the probability of CIA with and without scalp cooling in particular chemotherapy regimens. Besides, the tool offers patients' support in decision-making by allowing them to reflect and consider their values and opinions about scalp cooling.
Conclusions
This comprehensive information is useful during nursing consultations.
Alopecia is a frequently occurring side effect of chemotherapy and has high impact on many patients. Currently, scalp cooling is the only method to prevent this chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) and it is effective in about half of the patients. Since determinants of the success are largely unknown, all patients should be prepared for potential hair loss. The objective was to provide up-to-date online information about CIA and scalp cooling to support patients in coping with CIA and in their choice regarding scalp cooling.
Methods
Essential aspects of delivering information and lack of information were identified during focus groups, interviews, and a questionnaire survey among cancer patients, and in discussions with nurses.
Results
The obtained information was used to develop a website (www.scalpcooling.org) and a web-based tool. It combines scientific evidence and practical advice about CIA and regrowth of hair, scalp-cooling tolerance, efficacy and safety, as well as an overview of possible advantages and disadvantages. The web-based tool provides tailored information about the probability of CIA with and without scalp cooling in particular chemotherapy regimens. Besides, the tool offers patients' support in decision-making by allowing them to reflect and consider their values and opinions about scalp cooling.
Conclusions
This comprehensive information is useful during nursing consultations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 336-342 |
| Journal | Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2019 |
Keywords
- AIDS
- BREAST-CANCER
- Chemotherapy-induced alopecia
- DEVICE
- EXPERIENCES
- IMPACT
- TIME
- WOMEN
- decision aid
- hair loss
- informed treatment decision
- patient-tailored information
- scalp cooling