Expanding the Availability of Scalp Cooling to All Patients at Risk of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

The article discusses the implementation of an Insurance-Based Billing Model for scalp cooling (SC) in the USA to make this treatment more accessible to all patients, including underserved populations, by covering costs through insurance rather than self-pay. SC is effective in preventing or reducing chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), a distressing side effect of cancer treatment. FDA-approved devices like DigniCap and Paxman have shown significant efficacy in reducing CIA, supported by a systematic review and meta-analysis involving nearly 1,100 participants. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends SC for patients with breast and ovarian cancers. The article highlights the importance of equitable access to SC as a supportive care technology for cancer patients.