Cancer Treatment Options Forum - January 28th, 2011 - 3 Comments
HAS ANYONE RECEIVED CHEMO FOR BREAST CANCER WITHOUT LOSING THEIR HAIR?
will be starting chemo and have been told hair loss is a definite, just wondered if anyone knew anything different
Try not to worry about losing your hair. If the chemo you are having is one that results in hair loss then you will definitely lose all your hair, all over including eyebrows and eyelashes.
About one week after your first chemo get a short hair style because long hair coming out all over the place is much worse. It sticks to clothes and furniture. Wigs are inexpensive and the shorter style ones are easier to keep tidy. They look very natural these days.
Best of luck with everything.
If they told you that you will lose it, then almost certainly you will lose it. It’s something like 99% for the chemo agents that cause hair loss.
I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s really not that big a deal. Make lemonade. It’s liberating not to have all that hair to wash, style, fiddle with. It’s cooler. You get to wear something on your head every day that matches your outfit.
Really, I found I did not freak out when I lost it, and didn’t mind not having it. Now, mind you, I also didn’t mind when it came back, but it’s really so minor a thing to worry about. It’s hair. Think of it as a soldier in the war against cancer. And it will return, just like Macarthur !
There are forms of chemo that don’t cause hair loss, but if you were told you will experience it, you almost certainly will. That was the thing that bothered me the most, but when it happened it wasn’t such a big deal. It usually happens at about the 2 week mark and your scalp will be tender while the hair is coming out. Many find it easier to shave their heads than to put up with hair falling all over. It’s kind of fun when your hair comes in again. My new hair was very curly but it gradually becomes more like the original hair.
Your head will get cold. I bought some terry cloth turban type things that were a blessing. Some people wear a wig all the time but a lot just go for scarves and caps.
http://www.breastcancer.org is a great site for information and support