Alopecia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Alopecia, including details on hair loss, baldness, treatment, causes, prevention.

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia and effects on quality of life among women with breast cancer: a literature review.

Lemieux J, Maunsell E, Provencher L

Unité de recherche en santé des populations, Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire de Québec, Quebec, Que, Canada. julie.lemieux@uresp.ulaval.ca

BACKGROUND: Alopecia is a common side effect of chemotherapies used in the treatment of breast cancer. The aim of this review is to describe the effects of alopecia on quality of life (QOL) in this population. METHODS: We conducted a literature review using Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PsycInfo databases. We searched for studies on the effects of alopecia on various aspects of QOL in breast cancer patients including anxiety and distress, body image, sexuality, self-esteem, social functioning, global QOL and return to work outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 38 articles were included in the review. Hair loss consistently ranked amongst the most troublesome side effects, was described as distressing, and may affect the body image. CONCLUSIONS: We found very little quantitative data on other aspects of QOL. More research is needed to determine the presence and extent of negative effects on chemotherapy-induced alopecia on various aspects of QOL.

Published 2 April 2008 in Psychooncology, 17(4): 317-28.
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