Public Believes Dermatologic Side Effects From Cancer Treatment Are Common

TUESDAY, Aug. 12, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Most individuals living in underserved communities believe that dermatologic side effects (DSEs) from anticancer therapies (ACTs) occur at high rates, according to a study published online in the August issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

Nikita Menta, from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and colleagues evaluated knowledge and perceptions of ACT (medication or radiation)-related DSEs in a medically underserved community. The analysis included survey responses from 77 individuals attending two health fairs.

The researchers found that 21 percent of respondents were previously treated for cancer. Overall, most respondents believed that ACTs cause hair loss (52 percent overall versus 31 percent of respondents previously treated for cancer), dry skin/rash (47 versus 50 percent), and nail changes (41 versus 31 percent). Respondents most frequently reported the DSEs that would make them possibly or definitely not undergo treatment were permanent hair loss (33 percent overall versus 13 percent of respondents previously treated for cancer), temporary eyebrow/eyelash hair loss (27 versus 13 percent), and permanent nail discoloration (24 versus 13 percent). Among patients who were previously treated for cancer, half did not visit a dermatologist during cancer treatment.

“These data underscore the need for improved DSE management,” the authors write. “Dermatologists should educate oncologists and primary care physicians on patients’ experiences undergoing ACT and treatments for DSEs.”

Several authors disclosed ties to industry.

Abstract/Full Text