The effects of chemotherapy-induced alopecia on cancer patients’ distress

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Hair Loss ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Scalp Cooling ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Distress Scale

Background: Hair is a human characteristic, which has an important role in presenting the individual gender, race, nation, social interaction as well as mental and physical health status. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), which has an incidence of 65%, is known to be one of the most psychological shocks among cancer patients. Chemotherapy-induced Alopecia Distress Scale (CADS) created by a group of Korean scientists is a new tool developed to evaluate alopecia’s effects on patients’ mentality. It is necessary to investigate the effects of alopecia on cancer patients and to understand the demands of patients in coping with CIA. However, to our knowledge, this is a topic that is still lacking objective and scientific evidence in Hue, Vietnam. Therefore, we conducted the study to describe the alopecia characteristics of patients treated with chemotherapy, and to identify the distress level of cancer patients using CADS and the preference of patients to deal with the alopecia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 56 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Oncology department of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from 01/12/2020 to 25/03/2021. The hair loss grade was assessed by CTCAE and the level of distress was evaluated by CADS. Statistical analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel 2016 and the R 3.6.0 program. Results: The mean age of patients in our study was 56.48 ± 10.244. Of all 56 patients, the majority of participants were female (69.6%), married (82.1%), and had above-average economic status (67.9%). Breast cancer patients accounted for the highest percentage with 39.3%. Most of the patients were in grade III (32.1%) and grade IV (39.3%). Our study revealed that 82.1% of patients having hair loss at grade 2 according to CTCAE 5.0. Evaluating by CADS showed that 87.5% of participants experienced low distress. Hat/ headscarf and wig were the most popular coping strategy against the CIA (66.1% and 35.7%, respectively). Scalp cooling is a new method that can prevent the CIA effectively. A proportion of 41.1% was willing to try the scalp cooling systems. Conclusions: Alopecia grade 2 accounted for the majority of patients in our study (82.1%). This was a symptom that should be concerned, however, our study revealed that the alopecia’s effects were not so serious among patients in the study. Most of the patients did not worry about chemotherapy - induced alopecia (89.3%), and 87.5% of participants experienced low distress, while there was still a proportion of 12.5% with higher distress. To cope against alopecia, many feasible coping strategies have been used by patients, including hat/ headscarf or wig.

scholarly journals Quality of life among breast cancer patients: a cross sectional study

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 686
Author(s):  
Jeseena Kanayamkandi ◽  
Shalini Sunderam
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Total Duration ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hindu Religion

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally. Over the last decade, Quality of life (QOL) has become an important outcome measure in the treatment of cancer patients. Aim and Objective-.1) To evaluate the Quality of life among Breast cancer patients; 2) To describe the socio-demographic profile of Breast cancer patients; 3) To find out association between socio-demographic characteristics of patients and Quality of life.Methods: It was a cross sectional, descriptive and hospital based study. Total duration of study was 6 months (April 2015-September 2015), conducted in Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, Jharkhand 84 breast cancer patients were selected as study subjects and were interviewed by a validated questionnaire.Results: A total of 84 breast cancer patients were included in the study, most of the patients were between 40-60 years, mean age being 43.32±10.2. Most were non tribal, belonging to Hindu Religion. Majority were married. None of the participants had above average or significantly high QOL. 20.2% had average QOL, 51.2% had below average and 28.6% had significantly poor QOL. Married patients were found to have a significantly better QOL (p<0.05). QOL had no association with age, ethnicity, religion, education, occupation or socio-economic status of participants (p>0.05).Conclusions: Present study showed that majority of Breast cancer patients had poor QOL. Married patients were leading a comparatively better QOL than unmarried. 

Hair Loss Prevention by a Scalp Cooling Device in Early Breast Cancer Patients: The Poliambulanza Preliminary Experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziana Prochilo ◽  
Alessandra Huscher ◽  
Federica Andreis ◽  
Mara Mirandola ◽  
Elisabetta Zaina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Hair Loss ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Hair Follicles ◽  
Common Side Effect ◽  
Scalp Cooling ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cooling Device ◽  
End Of Treatment

Background: The most effective agents in the treatment of breast cancer have a common side effect, the hair loss. Some studies reported a reduction of hair loss with the use of the scalp cooling device. Indeed, it decreases the drug accumulation in the hair follicles. We report our preliminary experience with a scalp cooling device in reducing chemotherapy-induced alopecia and related distress in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. </P><P> Methods: Hair loss grading and treatment tolerability were evaluated during chemotherapy every 21 days and 3 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy via Dean’s scale by patients and operators and a comfort analogic scale by patients. We administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire at the baseline and at the end of treatment to assess the distress related to chemotherapy- induced alopecia. Results: Among the 46 patients identified, 27 accepted the device. The eligible chemotherapy regimens included docetaxel+cyclophosphamide (TC), doxorubicin+cyclophosphamide (AC) and paclitaxel (P) weekly+trastuzumab (T). 24 pts (89%) completed the treatment; 3 pts (11%) treated with AC prematurely interrupted use of the scalp-cooling device due to inefficacy. After the last cycle of chemotherapy, the number of patient who perceived a HL < grade 2 was 16 (59%). The hair retention reported by operators has been higher (78%). 81.5% of patients well tolerated the treatment. Conclusion: In our study, the scalp-cooling device reduced chemotherapy-induced alopecia in taxane- based chemotherapy. Furthermore, it suggests a discordance in hair loss perception between patients and operators.

scholarly journals The trends of complementary alternative medicine use among cancer patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Rahman Jazieh ◽  
Khadega A. Abuelgasim ◽  
Husam I. Ardah ◽  
Mohammad Alkaiyat ◽  
Omar B. Da’ar
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Complementary Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cultural Changes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among cancer patients and it may reflect the individual and societal beliefs on cancer therapy. Our study aimed to evaluate the trends of CAM use among patients with cancer between 2006 and 2018. Methods We included 2 Cohorts of patients with cancer who were recruited for Cohort 1 between 2006 and 2008 and for Cohort 2 between 2016 and 2018. The study is a cross-sectional study obtaining demographic and clinical information and inquiring about the types of CAM used, the reasons to use them and the perceived benefits. We compared the changes in the patterns of CAM use and other variables between the two cohorts. Results A total of 1416 patients were included in the study, with 464 patients in Cohort 1 and 952 patients in Cohort 2. Patients in Cohort 2 used less CAM (78.9%) than Cohort 1 (96.8%). Cohort 1 was more likely to use CAM to treat cancer compared to Cohort 2 (84.4% vs. 73%, respectively, p < 0.0001,); while Cohort 2 used CAM for symptom management such as pain control and improving appetite among others. Disclosure of CAM use did not change significantly over time and remains low (31.6% in Cohort 1 and 35.7% for Cohort 2). However, physicians were more likely to express an opposing opinion against CAM use in Cohort 2 compared to Cohort 1 (48.7% vs. 19.1%, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion There is a significant change in CAM use among cancer patients over the decade, which reflects major societal and cultural changes in this population. Further studies and interventions are needed to improve the disclosure to physicians and to improve other aspects of care to these patients.

Unmet supportive care needs and predictor of breast cancer patients in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. 107815522110391
Author(s):  
Sujana H Chowdhury ◽  
Bilkis Banu ◽  
Nasrin Akter ◽  
Sarder M Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Supportive Care Needs ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background Breast cancer survivor goes through a period of needs in their post-treatment daily life. Relatively few studies have been conducted to understand the unmet needs among breast cancer survivors in Bangladesh. Recognize and measure patterns and predictors of unmet needs of breast cancer patients was the aim of the study. Objective To identify and measure patterns and predictors of unmet needs of breast cancer patients in Bangladesh. Method A cross-sectional study among 138 breast cancer patients; conveniently selected from two public and two private cancer institutes. Face-to-face interview for data collection and medical record review for checklist was done. Unmet needs have been determined by the supportive care needs survey short form 34 scale. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of unmet needs. Results The study indicated the top 10 moderate-to-high needs; among which the top five needs were from the information need domain. Surprisingly, private cancer treatment centers were identified as a significant predictor for unmet needs. Patients from private cancer institutes reported more explanation needs as well as needs with their physical and daily living and sexuality. Furthermore, the type of treatment like patient receiving combine treatment therapy reported more need for help compared to the patient receiving chemotherapy alone. Moreover, housewives reported the low need for patient care and support systems as a result of their reluctant behavior towards their health. Conclusion Individual’s unmet need assessment should be a part of every treatment protocol of breast cancer for a better treatment outcome.

scholarly journals Effect of Flavor Enhancement on the Appreciation of Food in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 320-320
Author(s):  
Kenza Drareni ◽  
Moustafa Bensafi ◽  
Helene Lusson ◽  
Damien Vansteene ◽  
Agnès Giboreau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Given the influence of sensory signals on food intake regulation and the subsequent nutritional status, it is important to reduce the impact of commonly observed smell and taste alterations on the pleasure of eating during chemotherapy. This study aimed to examine the effect of various types of flavor enhancement on the appreciation of an appetizer by a group of patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods Five eggplant appetizers with no seasoning (REF) or enhanced with either salt, lemon, garlic or cumin were developed. In this cross-sectional study, 36 healthy female subjects (age 58 ± 7 y) (control group) and 84 breast cancer patients (age 56 ± 11 y) treated with chemotherapy were recruited. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on patients' self-reported smell and taste abilities classified the patients in two groups: the ‘unaltered, (high sensory abilities) n = 49’ and the ‘altered, (poor sensory abilities), n = 35’ group. Participants tasted and assessed the appreciation of the reference appetizer on a visual analog scale and performed a randomized comparative liking task, by rating the appreciation for each flavor-enhanced appetizer relative to the REF (one-sample t-test). Results There was no significant difference in the appreciation of the REF appetizer between the three groups (P &gt; 0.05). In the comparative liking task, the control group rated similarly the appreciation between the flavor-enhanced and the REF appetizers except for the cumin-enhanced appetizer, which was appreciated significantly more than the REF (P &lt; 0.001). Patients in both ‘altered’ and ‘unaltered’ groups appreciated similarly the cumin appetizer (P &gt; 0.05), more the salt and garlic-enhanced appetizers (P ≤ 0.001, P = 0.005, respectively) and significantly less the lemon-enhanced appetizer relative to the REF (P = 0.029), confirming a tendency for patients to reject acid-flavored foods. Conclusions The salt and garlic enhancements were appreciated by the patients independent of the stage of chemotherapy or the severity of smell and taste alterations. Flavor enhancement seems a good strategy to maintain the pleasure of eating in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further research is still needed on the appreciation and intake of a complete meal (starter, main course, dessert). Funding Sources APICIL and ELIOR groups.

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