Hair and Cancer Chemotherapy: Consequences and Nursing Care - A Literature Study
September 2001
in “
European Journal of Cancer Care
”
TLDR Chemotherapy-induced hair loss significantly affects patients' well-being, and nurses are key in helping them cope, but more research is needed to find effective treatments.
The document from 2001 examines the psychological and social effects of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) on cancer patients and the role of nursing care in managing this side effect. It highlights the distress caused by hair loss due to its association with personal identity and social interactions. Various methods to prevent CIA, such as scalp hypothermia and the use of minoxidil, are discussed, but their effectiveness is uncertain and dependent on multiple factors. Treatments like immunosuppressive immunophilin ligands and immunomodulators show potential in animal studies, but human testing is needed. The document emphasizes the importance of nursing care in providing information, emotional support, and self-care strategies to help patients cope with hair loss. It concludes that more research is needed to determine effective interventions for CIA and that nurses play a crucial role in supporting patients through this challenging experience.
