Management of hair loss associated with endocrine therapy in patients with breast cancer: an overview
May 2016
in “SpringerPlus”
TLDR Some breast cancer patients on hormone therapy experience hair loss, and treatments like certain topical inhibitors and supplements may help without harming their cancer prognosis.
In the 2016 review, it was found that about 25% of breast cancer patients on endocrine therapy with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors experience hair loss, impacting their quality of life. The review suggests investigating and correcting common causes of hair loss before attributing it to endocrine therapy. Potential treatments for endocrine therapy-induced hair loss (ETIHL) include topical 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and supplementation with Vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids, which do not negatively impact breast cancer prognosis. However, the review calls for more research, specifically prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled studies, to confirm the effectiveness of these treatments and to understand the clinical impact of ETIHL on breast cancer patients.
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