Perception, Attitudes, Preparedness and Experience of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia among Breast Cancer Patients: a Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objectives: Regardless of its negative impact on quality of life, little is known about the importance of alopecia from the patients' perspective. This study aimed to explore the whole experience of chemotherapyinduced alopecia among Korean breast cancer patients including perception, attitudes, preparedness, and changes after alopecia. Methods: Patients expected to experience or had experienced alopecia were recruited at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were performed in 21 patients. Recurrent issues were identified and placed into thematic categories. Results: All patients think that appearance is important and they pay attention to how they look like. They had negative perceptions about alopecia. Patients were not well prepared for alopecia, and experienced substantial physical, psychological and social distress. Lack of information and limited social support combined with negative images of cancer made it difficult for patients to overcome the trauma and deterred them from usual daily activities resulting in poor quality of life. Conclusions: Patients were not well prepared for alopecia and negative perceptions, lack of preparedness, and limited social support and resources increased alopeciarelated distress. Educational programs for preparing patients to cope with alopecia distress and advocate activities to change people's negative perception about alopecia are needed to reduce the burden imposed by alopecia in cancer patients.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy among Cancer Patients in a Malaysian General Hospital: Experiences, Perceptions and Informational Needs from Clinical Pharmacists

“…In contrast, multiple severe side effects and hepatotoxicity were the least preferred health states (Sun et al, 2002). Alopecia was also described as a distressing side effect by breast cancer patients as it had consistently affected their QOL and body image (Lemieux et al, 2008;Kim et al, 2012). As emphasized by studies since 1980's,…”

Parents' and Health-Care Providers' Perspectives on Side-Effects of Childhood Cancer Treatment in Indonesia

“…Alopecia forced them to reduce outside daily activities to conceal it. Patients were worried that hair might not grow back (Kim et al, 2012). Although losing hair usually will recover over time, a report of adult survivors of childhood cancer documented that in fact 10% of survivors were affected by prolonged alopecia after treatment completion (Kinahan et al, 2009).…”

Chemotherapy treatment: Colorectal cancer patients’ perception

“…In addition, they reported that they would not have undergone treatment if they knew of the suffering that the treatment would cause. [21] Another study carried out on 100 oncology patients, the most common effects were: alopecia, fatigue, negative impact on the family or spouse, work or domestic activities, as well as effects on the social and sexual life. [11] This induces us to reflect on side effects with negative impact on the patient's quality of life.…”