Abstract 5225
Background
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a common and distressing side effect of chemotherapy treatment. Significant progress has been made during the past 2 decades in treating many of the side effects associated with cancer chemotherapy including emesis, hematopoietic cytopenias, xerostomia, infection, pain, and thrombosis. Similar progress has not been made in the prevention of CIA, apart from scalp cooling. We set out to examine the uptake, patient satisfaction and efficacy (as perceived by medical staff and patients) of scalp cooling treatment among patients receiving chemotherapy.
Methods
We reviewed a prospectively maintained database of patients who were offered scalp cooling treatment in our oncology dayward between 01/10/2014 and 22/06/2018. We analysed patient uptake and efficacy as perceived and recorded by medical staff (“medical efficacy”). A questionnaire was sent to patients who had accepted scalp cooling treatment and were alive at follow-up, to assess patient perceived efficacy and patient satisfaction. Patient perceived efficacy was compared to medical efficacy using the Fisher’s exact test.
Results
The mean age was 60.1 (SD 10.9) and 91.4% of the patients were female. Uptake for scalp cooling was 49% (120/245). 75% (90/120) of patients were alive at follow up and 51% (46/90) responded to the questionnaire. Scalp cooling was considered efficacious in 63% (29/46) of patients, versus 43.3% (52/120) as assessed by the medical team, Fishers test p = 0.0253. 86.9% of patients who accepted scalp cooling and responded to the questionnaire (40/46) agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with their choice to try scalp cooling, and 67.4% (31/46) agreed or strongly agreed that their experience of scalp cooling was a positive one. There was a strong association between patient perceived efficacy and satisfaction (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The use of scalp cooling to prevent chemotherapy induced alopecia is an effective treatment in our real-world population. Patients were more likely than the medical team to consider scalp cooling treatment effective. We found high levels of patient satisfaction with the decision to try scalp cooling, even among patients whose treatment was ineffective.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
5314 - Spirituality and religious coping for Cancer patients and providers: An ‘Almighty’ belief for palliative care
Presenter: Vibhay Pareek
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5519 - Is there a difference of Palliative care problems and needs between cancer and non-cancer hospitalized elderly patients?
Presenter: Ioanna Chatzi
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2505 - There is a lack of clinical research for patients with cancer in palliative care
Presenter: Marie Vinches
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5273 - Specialist Palliative Care (SPC) in Haematological Malignancy: Establishing practices in a UK Tertiary Cancer Centre (TCC)
Presenter: Emma Kedgley
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5864 - Evaluation of the relationship between the attachment styles and psychological resilience of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Presenter: Fatma Bugdayci Basal
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
770 - Gefitinib along with Methotrexate as palliative therapy in PS 3 and above in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma head and neck cancer patients
Presenter: Vidya Dusi
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4232 - High intensity end-of-life care in pediatrics, adolescent and young adult patients with cancer using an administrative database.
Presenter: Seiko Bun
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4845 - Embedded outpatient palliative care service within the oncology clinic: Preliminary experience in Hacettepe Oncology Hospital
Presenter: Deniz Can Guven
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3270 - Internet-based stepped care for individuals with cancer and concurrent anxiety or depression symptoms – results from a randomized controlled trial
Presenter: Birgitta Johansson
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5503 - Impact of Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy (CBT) on levels of anxiety, depression and distress in cancer patients (pts)
Presenter: Daniela Tregnago
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract