TLDR The CNC® prosthetic system improved body image in breast cancer patients with hair loss from chemotherapy but did not significantly change their psychological wellbeing.
A pilot study evaluated the Capelli Naturali a Contatto® (CNC®) device, a personalized scalp prosthesis, on 21 patients with chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) due to recurrent breast cancer. The study found that the patients' body image improved after 3 and 6 months of using the device, but there was no significant change in psychological well-being. The device was favorably compared to traditional wigs, with patients reporting that it looked like natural hair and was easily managed. However, some issues were reported, including discomfort due to the adhesive and high cost, estimated between 4,000 and 10,000 euros. Despite these drawbacks, the device was seen as a reasonable proposal for women undergoing chemotherapy and expecting alopecia to prevent discomfort, social embarrassment, and compromised body image. The study had limitations, including a small sample size and lack of a control group. Further studies on a wider sample are needed to confirm these results.
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