TLDR Cannabis, cryotherapy, and scalp cooling can help improve the quality of life for chemotherapy patients.
The review discusses various integrative and complementary therapies to improve the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, focusing on cannabinoids, cryotherapy, and scalp cooling. Cannabinoids have shown efficacy in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Cryotherapy and scalp cooling are effective in preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and alopecia, respectively. Scalp cooling, in particular, has been demonstrated to significantly reduce hair loss, thereby improving patients' psychosocial well-being and quality of life. The review underscores the importance of these therapies in mitigating the adverse effects of chemotherapy and enhancing patient comfort and mental health.
59 citations,
August 2018 in “The oncologist” Some breast cancer patients still experience hair loss three years after chemotherapy, especially with taxane-based treatments.
25 citations,
March 2018 in “Journal of oncology practice” Scalp cooling is an effective and safe way to prevent hair loss from chemotherapy, with manageable side effects and low risk of scalp cancer.
22 citations,
May 2016 in “Breast cancer research and treatment” Some patients using cold caps to prevent hair loss from chemotherapy got mild scalp injuries similar to frostbite.
110 citations,
August 2014 in “International journal of cancer” Scalp cooling significantly reduces chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
52 citations,
May 2013 in “Supportive Care in Cancer” Scalp cooling significantly reduces hair loss in chemotherapy patients.
47 citations,
July 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Topical vitamin D3 does not prevent hair loss from chemotherapy.
52 citations,
November 2013 in “Journal of Pain and Symptom Management” Cryotherapy helps reduce chemotherapy side effects but needs more research for best use.
2 citations,
October 2018 in “Springer eBooks” Cancer treatments can cause skin-related side effects that may affect patient quality of life and require changes in treatment.
September 2024 in “Current Oncology” Docetaxel often causes hair loss, with limited effective treatments and no cure for permanent hair loss.
17 citations,
June 2020 in “Anais brasileiros de dermatologia/Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” Scalp cooling is an effective way to prevent hair loss from chemotherapy.
22 citations,
May 2016 in “Breast cancer research and treatment” Some patients using cold caps to prevent hair loss from chemotherapy got mild scalp injuries similar to frostbite.
