Age, Race, Chemotherapy Regimen, and Insurance Predictors for Undergoing Scalp Cooling

According to a study published in Supportive Care in Cancer, patients diagnosed at a young age with breast cancer who have private insurance are significantly likely to utilize scalp cooling.

As scalp cooling is a new technique used to prevent alopecia in patients undergoing chemotherapy, further research was needed to understand why patients seek this treatment. Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of women with breast cancer treated at Ohio State University to look at how patient age, race, ethnicity, insurance status, stage of cancer, and chemotherapy regimen influenced patients' decisions to implement scalp cooling in their treatment plan compared with patients who did not.

Results showed that patients diagnosed at a younger age and with private insurance were significantly more likely to utilize scalp cooling. Additionally, non-White patients were less likely to choose scalp cooling compared with White patients, and patients on the chemotherapy regimens AC (Adriamycin [doxorubicin] and cyclophosphamide) or AC-T (Adriamycin [doxorubicin], cyclophosphamide, and Taxol [paclitaxel]) were less likely to pursue scalp cooling than patients on PTCH (platinum-based chemotherapy) or TC (Taxotere [docetaxel] and cyclophosphamide) regimens.

“These findings provide background for the development of educational resources for both patients interested in this therapy and healthcare providers discussing this treatment option in dermatology and oncology settings,” the authors concluded.

Reference
Rose L, Schnell PM, Radcliff L, Lustberg M, Dulmage B. Retrospective cohort study of scalp cooling in breast cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. Published online January 16, 2023. doi:10.1007/s00520-022-07562-w