Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Evaluating disparities in counseling and resources for chemotherapy-induced hair loss: qualitative analysis of a survey-based approach
By Kaufman L, Khuhro A, Valentic L and 3 others.
Abstract
Purpose
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a distressing side effect of cancer treatment that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Despite the availability of interventions such as scalp cooling and topical treatments, many patients report inadequate counseling and limited access to these resources. This study aimed to evaluate disparities in CIA-related counseling and resource access, with particular attention to how socioeconomic and demographic factors shape the patient experience.
Methods
We conducted a mixed-methods, cross-sectional survey study of 101 adults who had received chemotherapy and experienced hair loss. Participants were recruited through online cancer support networks. Thematic analysis was performed on open-ended responses to identify key patient-reported themes.