The effect of coconut oil on alopecia in women undergoing Doxorubicin-Cyclophosphamide treatment for breast cancer

This study aimed to determine the effect of topically applied coconut oil on alopecia among women undergoing the Doxorubicin-Cyclophosphamide (DC) chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer. The research employed a single-center, prospective, two-arm (1:1) randomized controlled experimental design. The study sample consisted of 86 participants-43 in the intervention group and 43 in the control group-determined via a power analysis conducted using G*Power version 3.1.9.7. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews between February 1 and June 1, 2025. Descriptive data were collected using the Individual Information Form, and alopecia was assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Following the baseline assessment, participants in the intervention group received a weekly topical application of 10 mL of coconut oil, gently massaged into the scalp. The control group received no intervention. Hair loss in both groups was evaluated prior to each chemotherapy cycle. Participants were instructed not to engage in any additional hair care practices, use alternative products, or shave their heads before the completion of all evaluations. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. By the end of the third chemotherapy cycle, 11.6% (n=5) of patients in the intervention group experienced less than 50% hair loss, whereas all patients in the control group experienced hair loss of 50% or greater. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Before the fourth cycle, all participants in both groups exhibited hair loss of 50% or greater. In conclusion, coconut oil was found to delay-but not completely prevent-chemotherapy-induced alopecia in women receiving Doxorubicin-Cyclophosphamide treatment for breast cancer. Based on these findings, the use of coconut oil may be recommended as an adjunctive measure to delay alopecia in such patients. Further advanced clinical studies are warranted to evaluate the effects of coconut oil and other natural oils-with varying application frequencies and dosages-on alopecia among patients undergoing different combination chemotherapy protocols.