Believe it or not, female cancer survivors often say the hardest part of their treatment is losing their hair.
In the lunchroom at work, Lorena recounted her recent mastectomy. “Losing my breasts was one thing,” she said, “but I didn’t cry until I lost my hair.”
Lorena's story isn’t an unfamiliar one. Arizona State University Sociology Professor Rose Weitz recounts in her book, Rapunzel’s Daughters: What Women’s Hair Tells Us About Women’s Lives, how girls learn from a very early age to consider their hair as central to their identity. Losing your identity is traumatic enough, but being bald adds a double whammy by forcing women to now deal with new social stigmas.
“Cancer patients often feel hair loss not only changes how others view them, but how they view themselves,” Weitz said. “Hair loss is not only more visible, but it also takes away the part of the body that women associate with health, whereas mastectomies remove a part that the women have come to see as a source of disease.”
Hair loss, known medically as alopecia medicamentosa, occurs because chemotherapy affects all cells in the body, not just the cancer cells. The lining of the mouth, stomach, and the hair follicles are especially sensitive because those cells multiply rapidly just like the cancer cells. Fortunately, normal cells repair themselves, making these unpleasant side effects temporary.
While alopecia does not occur with all chemotherapy, those experiencing hair loss typically find that all hair is affected, including eyelashes, eyebrows and pubic hair. Many chemo patients lose all their hair, while some experience thinning, and others experience no hair loss. That’s because hair loss is tied to the drugs and dosages used during treatment.
Lorena’s hair loss occurred early, in the second or third week after the first cycle of chemotherapy, although depending on the drugs, hair loss may not occur until after the second cycle of chemotherapy.
Another reason alopecia can be so disturbing is the uneven clumping that most patients experience. Lorena, who was treated with Taxol, reported her hair loss was sudden. “I would brush my hair and it would fall out in clumps,” she said. “In the morning, hair would be lying on my pillow. It was very, very traumatic.”
Lorena found some solace in wearing a well-fitting wig in public, although she found it too hot and uncomfortable to wear at home. By allowing her doctor to prescribe her wig, Lorena’s insurance company covered most of the cost. To combat her itchy scalp, she applied a good moisturizer to help her skin feel cooler, more silky and comfortable.
If you prefer au naturel, don’t forget to use a good sunscreen. Skin that has been covered with hair may be particularly sensitive to the sun's UV rays.
Some chemo patients prefer to take a “preemptive strike” to have some control over their situation. They choose to cut their hair before it begins to fall out to avoid the trauma Lorena experienced.
Remember, hair loss is only temporary, so when your hair starts to grow back treat it gently by avoiding chemicals, bleach, peroxide, or colors, until it is well established.
The American Cancer Society’s Look Good Feel Better program has more information on dealing with hair loss during and after treatment by calling 1-800-ACS-2345.
Azsunshinegirl, aka Lynette Summerill, is an award-winning journalist who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to writing about cancer-related issues, she writes a blog, Nonsmoking Nation, which follows global tobacco news and events.