Past Issues
Editor's Feature
Hair Loss
How do you take control?
Hair loss is one of the most distressing side-effects of chemotherapy. For some, just the thought of losing their hair can bring on feelings of sadness, fear and anxiety — as if they are losing a part of themselves. Others may accept hair loss as an inevitable side effect of treatment and even regard it as a sign that the chemotherapy is working. Some women look forward to the chance to reinvent their image with wigs and short hair styles.
Whether very distressed or less anxious, most women put a great deal of thought into anticipating how they will manage and cope with hair loss. Gaining a sense of control can help you to successfully adjust, cope and regain your emotional well-being.
“I haven’t accepted that I will lose my hair. I’m afraid and I’m terribly worried. How do I get over this?” — breast cancer survivor
Acceptance
Your cancer care team can tell you, with a fair amount of certainty, which drugs and chemotherapy regimens will cause hair loss. Once you accept that you will lose your hair, you can focus on how to prepare, manage and cope. Coping strategies help overcome stress and anxiety.
Preparation
Find a coping strategy that feels right for you. For example, some women shave their head before the hair falls out to emotionally prepare themselves and others to see them without hair. Others practise wearing wigs and scarves. See the Featured Resources below for more coping strategies.
“I have pretty much decided that I will not be wearing a wig through my chemo stint.” — breast cancer survivor
Control
Taking charge of how, when and where you will lose your hair helps you take control and ease your distress and anxiety. Not only are you managing the process of hair loss, you are also managing your own emotional reactions.
“...I looked at myself in the mirror and looked at my eyes because we are recognized by our eyes, not our hair.” — breast cancer survivor
Develop your coping strategy
Coping with cancer is a process. If fear and anxiety present themselves, look for ways that will help you regain control and relieve distress. Here are 3 suggestions of things that you can do to develop your own coping strategy:
- Get informed.
Knowledge is power. Gather only as much information as you want and need to know. - Ask about coping strategies.
Find out how you may be able to prevent or minimize a side effect. Talk to your doctor or nurse. They often have general coping strategies that you can tailor to meet your needs. - Talk to your peers.
Share your thoughts, fears, experiences and advice with other women with breast cancer. There are peer support groups that offer help in person, by phone or online. For example, visit SharingStrength’s Discussion Forums.
Related Discussions
You are not alone. Members of the SharingStrength community having been talking on the Discussion Forums about losing their hair. They share their fears, concerns and how they decided to deal with it. Read what they have to say and join the conversation.
Discussion Forums > Open Forum (English) > How to tie a mean scarf . . .
I have pretty much decided that I will not be wearing a wig through my chemo stint...
Created by: Lis
read more
Discussion Forums > Open Forum (English) > Like a tree in the fall
That's it, yesterday I had my hair brush cut...sad but I'm telling myself that they will be back with the leaves in springtime...
Created by: Linsky
read more
Discussion Forums > Open Forum (English) > Arimidex and hair loss
...in the last couple of months my hair has thinned drastically.
Created by: cheerful
read more
Featured Resources
Take control. Find out more about hair loss, coping strategies and peer support. Check out these resources in our library about managing hair loss:
- Alternative Head Coverings
Instruction and diagrams demonstrating how to tie head coverings such as turbans and scarves. - Breast Cancer and Hair Loss
Booklet that explains how you may lose your hair as a result of treatment for breast cancer and the effect it may have on you. - Coping with Hair Loss
This section of Cancerbackup offers information and advice to help you to cope with hair loss during cancer treatment. - Hair Alternatives
Information about choosing, styling and taking care of a wig and about alternative head coverings. - Hair Help
Detailed advice about preparing, coping and making stylish choices when facing hair loss. - Prostheses, Wigs and Hair Loss
Information and resources about prostheses and wig basics, as well as where to get financial assistance and listings of suppliers. - Wigs and Head Coverings
Listing of businesses across the country that offer wigs and head coverings in-store or online.
Featured Organization
Look Good Feel Better® is a national non-profit program committed to helping women manage the appearance related effects of cancer and its treatment. By taking control of how they look, using cosmetics and hair alternatives, women with cancer can strengthen the positive attitude that is so important in cancer treatment — and feel better about themselves.
The cornerstone of the program is the free 2-hour workshop where women learn make-up tips and hair alternatives and go home with a complimentary kit of cosmetics and personal care products. Offered in 100 hospital and cancer care facilities, the hands-on, step-by-step workshop is led by industry trained cosmeticians and hair alternatives specialists.
The Look Good Feel Better program is:
- Non-medical. It does not interfere in a woman's medical treatment or replace any medical advice.
- Free of charge. Workshop participation and the annual magazine are free.
- Product neutral. No brands, products or salons are endorsed by the program or its volunteers.
