Consensus on Skin Care in Breast Cancer Patients

Overview

Skin toxicity is one of the most common and impactful adverse effects of breast cancer treatment, affecting patients undergoing chemotherapy, targeted therapies, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy. Current research and expert consensus highlight the importance of early, preventive, and gentle skin-care regimens to preserve barrier function and reduce treatment interruptions. Evidence supports the use of mild, fragrance-free cleansers, twice-daily emollient moisturization, and consistent broad-spectrum photoprotection throughout therapy. For radiation dermatitis, studies show that prophylactic moisturizers, silicone- or hydrofilm-based dressings, and short-course topical corticosteroids significantly reduce severity. Targeted therapies, particularly EGFR/HER2 inhibitors, require anticipatory management with barrier repair, topical anti-inflammatory agents, and oral antibiotics when papulopustular eruptions develop. Dermocosmetic products designed for sensitive or oncology-treated skin have demonstrated improvements in symptom burden and quality of life. Overall, the consensus emphasizes patient education, avoidance of irritants, multidisciplinary dermatologic-oncologic collaboration, and proactive rather than reactive care to effectively mitigate skin-related adverse events in breast cancer patients.

Study Overview This study is a non-interventional, observational expert consensus project designed to develop region-appropriate guidelines for skin care management in breast cancer patients undergoing systemic therapies, radiotherapy, or surgical treatment. Although numerous international guidelines address cancer-related skin toxicities, most are derived from Western populations and do not fully reflect regional differences in skin phototypes (Fitzpatrick III-VI), environmental factors, product availability, and care pathways common in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Because breast cancer patients frequently experience treatment-related dermatologic adverse events that affect quality of life and treatment adherence, a structured expert consensus is required to standardize preventive and therapeutic skin-care practices across oncology and dermatology settings. Study Design This study follows a Modified Delphi methodology, The Delphi process will include 2-3 iterative rounds: Round 1 - Qualitative Item Generation Experts will complete an open-ended questionnaire covering: baseline skin-care recommendations (cleansing, moisturization, photoprotection); management of radiotherapy-induced dermatitis; chemotherapy- and targeted-therapy-related skin toxicities (xerosis, papulopustular rash, nail changes, photosensitivity); surgical wound and scar care; use of dermocosmetics and supportive products during cancer therapy; safety considerations for Fitzpatrick III-VI skin; contraindicated products or procedures (exfoliants, retinoids, lasers, waxing); patient-education strategies; follow-up schedules and referral pathways; regional barriers (product availability, cultural factors, climate impact). Responses will undergo thematic analysis to produce structured statements. Round 2 - Quantitative Consensus Rating Panelists will rate the consolidated statements using a 9-point Likert scale (1 = inappropriate, 9 = appropriate), assessing clinical utility, safety, feasibility, and applicability to breast cancer care in the MENA region. Optional Round 3 Only statements without clear consensus will undergo a third round. Experts will review anonymized group statistics (median, distribution spread) and re-rate remaining borderline items, allowing refinement of near-agreement topics. Expert Panel Selection Experts will be eligible if they meet at least two of the following criteria: * ≥5 years of clinical experience in dermatology, oncology, or supportive cancer care; * Recognized national or regional lecturer, trainer, or key opinion leader; * Peer-reviewed publications in dermatology, oncology, supportive care, or cancer survivorship; * Active practice within Egypt or other MENA countries. The targeted panel size is 15-25 experts, ensuring representation across dermatology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, nursing, and survivorship care. Statistical Analysis For each item, the following will be calculated: median, interquartile range, interpercentile range (IPR), IPR adjusted for symmetry (IPRAS), and the Disagreement Index. Items will be categorized by agreement level and summarized for publication. Subgroup analyses (e.g., GCC vs North Africa) may be performed. Ethical Considerations This study does not involve patients, clinical interventions, or personal health information. Participation is voluntary. Expert responses are anonymized. No foreseeable risks are associated with participation, and the study qualifies as minimal-risk, non-interventional research.