Are patient education materials for scalp cooling therapy accessible? A readability and suitability perspective

Scalp cooling therapy (SCT) is the only evidence-based method to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia. With SCT utilization rising annually, it is essential that patients have accessible education to make informed decisions. We evaluated the readability and suitability of publicly available SCT materials from FDA-approved from machine-based SCT companies Paxman and DigniCap. Validated reading scales suggest current materials are written at a 9th grade to early college level, which is well above the health literacy recommendations of 6th–8th grade. Scoring suitability with the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) tool placed 67% of materials in the lower end of “superior,” with greatest room for improvement in the content and graphics categories. These findings suggest that SCT resources may pose comprehension challenges to patients with lower health literacy. Improving SCT education through use of plain language, enhanced visual aids, and increased patient-centered communication can support SCT understanding and patient decision-making.