The Financial Burden of Scalp Cooling Therapy: A Nonprofit Organization Data Analysis

The study analyzes the financial burden of scalp cooling therapy (SCT) for chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) using data from the nonprofit Cap & Conquer, which funded 112 female patients, primarily with breast cancer, between September 2020 and April 2023. SCT costs range from $1,200 to $1,800 per chemotherapy course, often without insurance coverage, making it less accessible to those without private insurance or high incomes. The nonprofit spent an average of $1,287.90 per patient, highlighting the financial challenges faced by low-income patients. Despite SCT's effectiveness in reducing CIA, particularly with taxane-based chemotherapy, financial barriers limit its use. The study emphasizes the need for improved insurance coverage to make SCT accessible to all patients, as nonprofit funding alone is not sustainable.