Scalp cooling for reducing chemotherapy induced alopecia in females with breast cancer

Abstract

Overview of the topic: Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a common side effect of chemotherapy and causes stress on the people experiencing it. The experience of losing hair may cause distress to the person such as difficulties with self-esteem, sexuality and psychological disorders. In this dissertation, the prevention of CIA by scalp cooling will be reviewed. The research question: Amongst women with breast cancer, does scalp cooling prevent chemotherapy induced alopecia? PEO elements: The population (P) studied was females with breast cancer. The Exposure (E) observed was scalp cooling. The final desired Outcome (O) was preventing chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Method: Key words related to the PEO question were identified to find alternative terms. These alternative terms were used together with Boolean operators and applied in relevant databases which are; EBSCO, PubMed, Scopus and MEDLINE Proquest. Application of limiters was done to narrow down the search. The PRISMA checklist was used in order to identify and screen relevant studies. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied in order to choose the relevant articles. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool was utilised to evaluate the studies’ strengths and weaknesses. 3 Results: In total, five key studies were identified which included two systematic reviews and meta-analysis and three randomised controlled trials. In all studies, scalp cooling was found to significantly reduce CIA amongst women with breast cancer. Conclusion: From the evidence gathered, results pointed out that scalp cooling may reduce CIA in females with breast cancer. However, more research is needed regarding this topic when answering the PEO question and to give answers to limitations found in the studies. Implications and recommendations: Education and awareness about scalp cooling needs to be spread in the local setting, since it is only offered in the private setting. Guidelines from management need to be provided and encouragement for further research needs to be done. It is recommended to use larger samples to get more information and better results when understanding the role of scalp cooling in preventing CIA.