Redefining The Crown: Approaching Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia Among Black Patients With Breast Cancer
March 2023
in “
Cancer
”
TLDR Oncologists should better understand the unique impact of hair loss on Black breast cancer patients to offer more compassionate care.
The article discusses the significant impact of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) on Black women with breast cancer, emphasizing the cultural importance of hair in Black communities. It highlights the lack of research on CIA's effects on Black women, who may experience more severe and permanent hair loss compared to other groups. The study underscores the need for tailored interventions, such as modifying cold caps to better suit Black hair textures and increasing the availability of ethnically appropriate cranial prostheses. It also suggests involving Black hair stylists in patient care to address the unique psychological and cultural challenges faced by Black women undergoing chemotherapy. The article calls for more research to understand the psychosocial impact of CIA on Black women and to improve their breast cancer care.