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Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship 1/2021

01-02-2021 | Alopecia | Review

Identifying the supportive care needs of men and women affected by chemotherapy-induced alopecia? A systematic review

Authors: C. Paterson, M. Kozlovskaia, M. Turner, K. Strickland, C. Roberts, R. Ogilvie, G. Pranavan, P. Craft

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

To systematically evaluate evidence regarding the unmet supportive care needs of men and women affected by chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) to inform clinical practice guidelines.

Methods

We performed a review of CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Scopus, the Cochrane Library (CCRT and CDSR) controlled trial databases and clinicaltrials.​gov from January 1990 to June 2019 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. Twenty-seven publications were selected for inclusion in this analysis.

Results

Included reports used qualitative (ten) and quantitative (17) studies. Across these studies men and women reported the major impact that CIA had on their psychological well-being, quality of life and body image. Hair loss had a negative impact irrespective of gender, which resulted in feelings of vulnerability and visibility of being a “cancer patient”. Men and women described negative feelings, often similar, related to CIA with a range of unmet supportive care needs.

Conclusions

Some patients are not well-prepared for alopecia due to a lack of information and resources to reduce the psychological burden associated with CIA. Hair loss will affect each patient and their family differently, therefore, intervention and support must be tailored at an individual level of need to optimise psychological and physical well-being and recovery.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

People affected by CIA may experience a range of unmet supportive care needs, and oncology doctors and nurses are urged to use these findings in their everyday consultations to ensure effective, person-centred care and timely intervention to minimise the sequalae associated with CIA.
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Metadata
Title
Identifying the supportive care needs of men and women affected by chemotherapy-induced alopecia? A systematic review
Authors
C. Paterson
M. Kozlovskaia
M. Turner
K. Strickland
C. Roberts
R. Ogilvie
G. Pranavan
P. Craft
Publication date
01-02-2021
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-020-00907-6

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