Cancer-related hair loss: a selective review of the alopecia research literature.

OBJECTIVE: Alopecia is a common side effect of cancer treatment, affecting approximately 65% of patients. Healthcare providers and allied staff recognize that alopecia is distressing for people with cancer; however, they are often unaware of the extent of distress or the great efforts expended by patients to cope with hair loss. This study reviews the existing literature regarding the psychosocial impact of alopecia on cancer survivors and the coping strategies they use to manage hair loss.
METHODS: We searched for studies examining the psychosocial effects of alopecia on cancer survivors using PubMed and PsycInfo databases and Google Scholar.
RESULTS: A total of 36 peer-reviewed articles were deemed relevant to be included in this review. In this review, alopecia was consistently ranked as one of the most distressing side effects of cancer treatment. Survivors report that hair loss disrupts how they experience their bodies, interact with others, and conceptualize their body image beyond treatment. Although upsetting for both genders, the scarce literature that exists suggests that there may be some gender-specific aspects of experiencing cancer-related hair loss. Cancer survivors cope with alopecia in numerous ways and often rely on strategies such as concealment, social support, social avoidance, information seeking, and behavioral rehearsal.
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment-induced alopecia negatively affects millions of survivors each year in unique and nuanced ways. We hope that survivors' healthcare providers and loved ones may better appreciate the psychosocial challenges they experience related to hair loss, as well as the strategies they use to cope. Further research is much needed to better understand cancer-related alopecia.