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Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is a common and distressing side effect. Scalp cooling is increasingly being used to reduce this hair loss. The purpose of this study was to explore patients' perceptions and experience of scalp cooling.Methods: Seventeen Australian women with a diagnosis of breast cancer participated in a focus group (n = 4) or a semi-structured interview (n = 3). Both scalp-cooled and non-scalp-cooled participant views were sought. Participant perceptions and experiences of scalp cooling were discussed as part of patients' overall chemotherapy experience and a thematic analysis conducted.Results: Five themes emerged from the data: (1) scalp cooling in the context of treatment decision-making discussions, (2) hair loss expectations vs. experiences, (3) treatment-related expectations vs. experiences, (4) the promise of faster regrowth and (5) satisfaction with scalp cooling and future scalp cooling decision-making considerations. Information during treatment decision-making was the primary factor that influenced whether patient expectations were met. Faster regrowth was a motivator to continue treatment. Efficacy and tolerability of scalp cooling influenced future hypothetical treatment decision-making for both scalp-cooled and non-scalp-cooled participants.Conclusions: This study provides the first in-depth exploration of patient attitudes to scalp cooling. The results highlight a need for accurate information regarding efficacy and tolerability as well as hair care information to assist patients with their treatment decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Cancer Institute of the United States defines personalized medicine (PM) as 'a form of medicine that uses information about a person's genes, proteins and environment to prevent, diagnose and treat disease' (National Cancer Institute, Dictionary of Cancer Terms) []. Consequently, the ultimate dream is the generation of a 'molecular fingerprint' via a simple blood test or tumor sample that allows the physician to refine an individual patient's prognosis, select the best possible therapeutic option, and minimize the toxicity from therapies by identification of distinct genetic markers. The enormous gains to patients and ultimately health care systems are unmistakable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]