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Scalp cooling: a qualitative study to assess the perceptions and experiences of Australian patients with breast cancer

Supportive Care in Cancer volume 24, pages 3813–3820 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is a common and distressing side effect. Scalp cooling is increasingly being used to reduce this hair loss. The purpose of this study was to explore patients’ perceptions and experience of scalp cooling.

Methods

Seventeen Australian women with a diagnosis of breast cancer participated in a focus group (n = 4) or a semi-structured interview (n = 3). Both scalp-cooled and non-scalp-cooled participant views were sought. Participant perceptions and experiences of scalp cooling were discussed as part of patients’ overall chemotherapy experience and a thematic analysis conducted.

Results

Five themes emerged from the data: (1) scalp cooling in the context of treatment decision-making discussions, (2) hair loss expectations vs. experiences, (3) treatment-related expectations vs. experiences, (4) the promise of faster regrowth and (5) satisfaction with scalp cooling and future scalp cooling decision-making considerations. Information during treatment decision-making was the primary factor that influenced whether patient expectations were met. Faster regrowth was a motivator to continue treatment. Efficacy and tolerability of scalp cooling influenced future hypothetical treatment decision-making for both scalp-cooled and non-scalp-cooled participants.

Conclusions

This study provides the first in-depth exploration of patient attitudes to scalp cooling. The results highlight a need for accurate information regarding efficacy and tolerability as well as hair care information to assist patients with their treatment decision-making.

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Acknowledgments

The researchers would like to thank the patients who participated in this study.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Joanne Shaw & Brandi Baylock

  2. The Patricia Ritchie Centre for Cancer Care & Research, The Mater Hospital, North Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Amanda O’Reilly, Julie Winstanley, Lina Pugliano, Kerrie Andrews & Frances Boyle

  3. Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Julie Winstanley, Lina Pugliano & Frances Boyle

Authors
  1. Joanne Shaw
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  2. Brandi Baylock
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  3. Amanda O’Reilly
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  4. Julie Winstanley
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  5. Lina Pugliano
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  6. Kerrie Andrews
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  7. Frances Boyle
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joanne Shaw.

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Funding

This study was funded by a Friends of the Mater Foundation Grant.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

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The authors have full control of all primary data and agree to allow the journal to review data if requested.

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Shaw, J., Baylock, B., O’Reilly, A. et al. Scalp cooling: a qualitative study to assess the perceptions and experiences of Australian patients with breast cancer. Support Care Cancer 24, 3813–3820 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3206-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3206-2

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Scalp cooling
  • Qualitative
  • Interviews
  • Focus groups