Advancing Access to Cold Caps: Reflections on the Coalition Priorité Cancer Reflection Day
Published on 2026-01-24 (Updated on 2026-01-24)
In July 2025, the Coalition Priorité Cancer, in partnership with the Fondation Garde tes cheveux and the Fondation cancer du sein du Québec, brought together patient partners, health care professionals, and engaged organizations for a reflection day dedicated to cold caps. View the report here.
Advancing Access, Together
Hair loss related to chemotherapy remains one of the most distressing side effects along the oncology care pathway. Far beyond aesthetics, it affects identity, intimacy, and quality of life for people living with cancer. With this in mind, a reflection day dedicated to cold caps was held in July 2025, organized by the Coalition Priorité Cancer in partnership with the Fondation Garde tes cheveux and the Fondation cancer du sein du Québec. This gathering brought together patient partners, health care professionals, researchers, and engaged organizations around a shared goal: advancing equitable access to hair preservation in Québec.
This reflection day pursued 4 main objectives:
- to provide an up to date overview of access to cold caps in Québec;
- to raise awareness of the clinical, psychological, and social benefits of scalp cooling;
- to identify barriers to implementation, whether logistical, institutional, or financial;
- to formulate concrete recommendations and a strategic plan to improve access.
The approach was grounded in collective intelligence and in recognizing the lived expertise of patients, on par with that of clinicians.
Mobilizing Key Stakeholders Across the Network
The day brought together representatives from numerous health sector and oncology community organizations, including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Ovarian Cancer Canada, VPH Action Globale, the Fondation de l’Hôpital Pierre Boucher, Maisonneuve Rosemont Hospital, and the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). This diversity of voices enabled rich, practice grounded discussions and reinforced the idea that improving access to cold caps requires sustained intersectoral collaboration.
The Leadership of the Coalition Priorité Cancer
The Coalition Priorité Cancer played a central role in convening and facilitating this reflection day. By creating a respectful and structured space for dialogue, it brought together stakeholders around complex and often polarizing issues, while refocusing discussions on the patient experience and quality of life. Its leadership was reflected in a clear commitment to moving beyond the mistaken perception of cold caps as merely a cosmetic measure, recognizing them instead as a public health issue tied to informed choice, autonomy, and adherence to treatment.
Key Highlights from the Report
The report resulting from this day highlights several major findings:
- the benefits of cold caps extend far beyond hair retention, including reduced emotional distress, maintenance of social and professional life, and improved treatment adherence;
- access to cold caps is hindered by persistent barriers: high costs, regional disparities, lack of information, insufficient training, ongoing biases within the medical community, and limited training of health care staff;
- information, patient support, and financial assistance are essential levers to ensure true equity of access;
- free and informed patient consent must be strengthened through neutral, comprehensive, and accessible information provided from the time of diagnosis.
Recommendations for Moving Forward
Among the key recommendations put forward:
- systematically integrating discussions about cold caps into the oncology care pathway;
- training and raising awareness among clinical teams about the psychological impact of hair loss;
- improving data collection, particularly related to quality of life;
- developing partnerships with insurers and foundations to reduce financial barriers;
- recognizing and supporting the role of patient partners and caregivers.
Sustaining the Collective Momentum
This reflection day confirmed one essential truth: preserving hair during chemotherapy is not a luxury, it is a matter of quality of life and informed choice. At the Fondation Garde tes cheveux, we will continue our mission to inform, equip, and support patients and clinicians, while actively contributing to collective efforts aimed at evolving practices and policies. Because it is not just hair. And because every person deserves to navigate illness with as much control, dignity, and humanity as possible.
View the Coalition Priorité Cancer Report
- Read the full report on the [https://coalitioncancer.com/en/reports/](Coalition Priorité Cancer website).
- The consultation link is also available in the [https://gardetescheveux.org/en/etudes/](“Studies”) section of our website.
The Mission of the Coalition Priorité Cancer
The mission of the Coalition Priorité Cancer is to be a strong voice for people affected by cancer, with the goal of improving the cancer care system in Québec. Since 2001, its members have shared a vision of a healthier Québec centered on patients, survivors, and caregivers. The Foundation is a proud member of the Coalition. Visit [https://coalitioncancer.com/en/](their website) to learn more about their impactful mission.
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