Hair Loss From Cancer Treatment Can Devastate You
Most forms of cancer are unavoidable once the stage is set within your body’s shifting from a normal makeup to a cancer producing state. With most cancers the need arises for chemotherapy. Unfortunately, this may be the only cure. The fact is that chemotherapy, while working to reduce or cure cancer, causes hair loss in large quantities—sometimes to the extent of total baldness. Cancer hair loss stirs many emotions that you cannot cope with alone. You need support to deal with this type of devastation. Your ability to ope will depend largely on your mind set. What do you think your hair represents? If you think long full hair is important to your appearance—you may become depressed or you may feel angry at the mere thought of losing your hair. Maybe the way you see it, everyone will be staring at you now, including family and friends—this is a thought that will likely cross your mind. Cancer hair loss can happen on various parts of the body, not just the head. Chemotherapy drugs attack the cells that cause the hair to grow. The loss is only temporary, it will more than likely grow back in about 6 months to 1 year. In the meantime, you have to strengthen yourself to deal with the embarrassment. All during the chemotherapy cancer treatment and even for a month following the treatment, your hair will continue to fall out. When the hair does begin to come back there will be a temporary difference in the color and texture—but at least it is comforting to know that it is growing back. Although your hair will probably fall out during chemotherapy, the process can be slowed by minoxidil. It may slow down the loss and also help your hair to grow back faster. If you are anticipating cancer hair loss, don’t put harsh chemicals in your hair prior to treatment and try not to apply heat—these procedures weaken your hair. If you cut your short, the loss of hair will be much less noticeable when it happens. Some folks turn to using head covers such as scarves or turbans. Some wear wigs until the hair grows back. A man may want to go ahead and shave his head and this will look normal. Women, if their remaining hair irritates them, might shave their heads before wearing a wig or turban—some women who don’t care to be radical will just leave their shaved heads uncovered. Radiation therapy also causes cancer hair loss. With this type of therapy, you will only lose hair at the site of the treatment—not all over your body. High dosages of radiation can lead to permanent loss of hair and sometimes wearing something to cover your head during this kind of treatment can itch or cause other irritation to your scalp. At any rate, you should ask your doctor what to expect and you should seek support. You will probably need counseling during your cancer hair loss. Cancerbackup is an organization that has nurses that will provide you with information about different counseling sessions you can attend. You can also seek help at the Cancer Counseling Trust. You probably even have family and friends who will support you during your crisis period. You don’t have to face it alone. Keep pushing on and bearing in mind that the cancer hair loss is only a temporary one—you can cope with it if you have a little support.
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