Talking to Your Oncology Team About Scalp Cooling: Questions to Ask Before You Start

Starting chemotherapy comes with an overwhelming number of decisions, and hair loss is often one of the last things patients feel equipped to bring up, even though it's one of the side effects they worry about most. If you're considering scalp cooling, having the right conversation with your oncology team early can make a real difference in your experience. Don't wait for your care team to bring it up; you're allowed to ask.

Why It's Worth Bringing Up Early

Scalp cooling needs to start with the first infusion. That means the conversation needs to happen early, ideally at your treatment-planning appointment, not after your first session. 

Questions to Ask Your Oncologist or Nurse

• Is scalp cooling appropriate for my specific cancer type and treatment regimen? Some regimens carry a higher risk of hair loss than others, and your care team can help set realistic expectations.

• Does this facility offer scalp cooling? If your center does not offer Amma or another device, please reach out to our team so we can direct you to the closest location near you. 

• How will scalp cooling affect my infusion time? Sessions require cooling before, during, and after chemotherapy, which can extend your time in the chair. Timing depends on your exact chemotherapy regimen but runs 30 min prior to chemo, during, and for 2-3 hours after. 

• Are there any reasons I might not be a candidate? Certain diagnoses and treatment types may not be recommended for scalp cooling. Ask your care team if you are a good candidate.

• What results have other patients on my regimen seen? Success rates vary by chemotherapy drug and dosage, so ask what's realistic for your specific plan.

• Who do I contact with questions once treatment starts? Make sure you know who to reach — your oncology nurse, or the Cooler Heads customer care team. 

  
  

If Your Care Team Isn't Familiar with Scalp Cooling

Not every oncology practice has experience with scalp cooling yet, especially at smaller or rural facilities. If that's the case, you can still advocate for yourself. Bring information from a resource like Cooler Heads, and know that many scalp cooling providers work directly with care teams to get systems set up, even at facilities using it for the first time.

You Deserve to Feel Informed

This is your treatment, your body, and your hair. Asking questions about scalp cooling isn't a distraction from "the real treatment",  it's part of taking care of your whole self throughout chemotherapy.

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Cooler Heads provides scalp cooling services and education to cancer patients across the United States. This article is for informational purposes only. Please consult your oncologist before making any decisions about your treatment.