title: Scalp cooling: management option for chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
abstract: Chemotherapy is increasingly being administered as a treatment for cancer and with it are a number of possible side effects. One, which has a negative impact on a patient's quality of life and their self-esteem, is that of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). A side effect of which, for some, could be prevented by the use of scalp cooling, dependent on the regimen being administered and patient choice. This article explores the issue of CIA from the patient's perspective and scalp cooling as a preventative measure, along with a review of the evidence around the risk associated with developing scalp metastases following scalp cooling. It also discusses why scalp cooling should be available for both male and female patients; along with the potential impact scalp cooling may have on clinical areas delivering chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Cancer Nurse/Acute Oncology Service Lead, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roe
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D018579:Patient Selection; D012535:Scalp; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Alopecia; Chemotherapy; Scalp cooling; Self-image