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

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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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Funding

This study was funded by PAXMAN and Regional Health. The funding bodies have not commented or changed the intellectual content of this systematic review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Public Health, University of Canberra ACT, Canberra, 2601, Australia

    C. Paterson, M. Kozlovskaia, M. Turner, K. Strickland, C. Roberts & R. Ogilvie

  2. Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health & Canberra Health Services, Canberra, Australia

    C. Paterson, R. Ogilvie, G. Pranavan & P. Craft

  3. SYNERGY Nursing & Midwifery, Research Centre, ACT Health Directorate, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australia

    C. Paterson, M. Kozlovskaia, K. Strickland & R. Ogilvie

  4. Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

    G. Pranavan & P. Craft

  5. Prehabilitation, Activity, Cancer, Exercise and Survivorship (PACES) Research group, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    C. Paterson, K. Strickland & C. Roberts

  6. Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland

    C. Paterson

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  1. C. Paterson
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Correspondence to C. Paterson.

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Paterson, C., Kozlovskaia, M., Turner, M. et al. Identifying the supportive care needs of men and women affected by chemotherapy-induced alopecia? A systematic review. J Cancer Surviv 15, 14–28 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-020-00907-6

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