Improving Preparation for Scalp Cooling: Learning from Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer—The COOL Study

The COOL study aimed to improve the preparation for scalp cooling among women undergoing chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer by understanding their experiences and expectations. The study involved 49 women who completed a survey and 23 who participated in interviews. Many women reported losing more hair than expected and felt inadequately prepared for the discomfort and additional time required for scalp cooling. They also noted a lack of information on self-care to minimize hair loss and variability in nurses' knowledge about scalp cooling. The study concluded that comprehensive preparatory information and well-informed nurses are essential to optimize the scalp cooling experience. As a result, online resources and a training module for nurses were developed to better prepare and inform women considering scalp cooling.