Hair Loss During Treatment Can be Traumatic: A Survivor’s Guide to Overcoming

• 

Community Blog
hero symbol

Hair Loss--Or Lack Thereof--Has Emotional Effects on Cancer Patients

While hair loss is not a life-threatening condition and it is not physically painful, it can affect a person's mental health--elevating stress and anxiety and reducing quality of life. Specifically, female-identified cancer patients, in particular, experience challenges with hair loss on the psychological, emotional, and social level.

There are many of studies that support the challenges associated with hair loss and cancer. The studies range from explaining why it happens, methods to prevent it from happening, perceptions of hair loss, the stigma around it, and more. While many of the psychosocial studies have largely been focused around breast cancer and hair loss, the findings are still important and could be relevant to all cancer types, including colorectal cancer.

A study from 2017 confirmed that hair loss can be a traumatic experience for patients. In the study, 24 female survivors who had undergone treatment for breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ, meaning the cancer had not spread, were interviewed. The responses suggest that there is a perceived stigma attached to being a cancer patient, and a stigma about not fitting in with the societal norms of having hair. Surprisingly, there was also notable distress felt by women who did not lose their hair – again, because they didn’t fit the stereotypical look of a cancer patient. Hair loss on the head, face (including eyelashes and eyebrows), and hair on the body (arms, etc), can all have an effect on the emotional health of a patient.

The interesting thing about hair loss as a cancer patient: if you have hair, it’s quite possible that nobody notices you or knows that you’re in treatment. They may say things like “well, you don’t look sick,” or may throw you a side-eye for taking time off of work. If you’ve lost your hair, it’s likely that people ask about it--thus robbing you of the privacy of your health and wellness.

The bottom line is that hair plays a big role in a cancer survivor’s psychosocial health. It’s important to understand ways to address these unique challenges.

Rectal cancer fighter, Jessica, shares her own story of strength

June 25, 2021, we lost Fight CRC ambassador, stage IV survivor, and advocate Jessica Dilts. She was always open to sharing her story and experience with others to both raise awareness and educate those in the fight.

In 2020, we asked her to shed some light on her experience so that, hopefully, she can reach others who may be experiencing this side effect and provide some advice and words of encouragement.

This is my second time losing my hair in my cancer journey. I was diagnosed in 2015 and was put on Folfoxiri. The irinotecan made me start shedding like crazy. The doctors told me that if it was going to happen, it would start within 14 days. And it started, literally, on day 13. I was getting ready to go to brunch with my girlfriends, and I pulled out a huge chunk of hair. I was devastated because I knew I was going to actually look like a cancer patient. I finally had my friend come shave my head because I couldn't take seeing the hair fall out all around me.

Honestly, once I shaved it I felt like I took control of the situation and said “take that cancer” It was very liberating.

I made the most of it. I bought several different wigs, all different colors and cuts...styles I would have never tried before. It made getting ready super quick. And let's be honest, when you are going through chemo, who has the energy to dry and curl their hair? I found the positives in it.

This second round of Folfoxiri made me lose my hair again, it was finally getting long enough I could rock the Pebbles hairdo...but now it is gone.

My advice to patients losing hair is to remember it is just hair. It is just a temporary side effect and it will grow back! Look at the positives: less maintenance when you are so tired from chemo, and you can have fun with it!

Own it. You are going through the hardest time of your life. Losing your hair is another sign you are a warrior and you are fighting for your life.

You are a bald, beautiful, brave warrior...don’t let losing your hair change any of that!

Cancer is tough, scary, and the hardest thing physically and mentally you will probably ever go through in your life. Embrace it, try and find the light in every single situation, from losing your hair to meeting new friends who know exactly what you are feeling and going through. Don’t let cancer take your light--it already takes so much. Lean on your new "family" because we all understand, and we’re there for you, with hair or without.

Have you lost your hair because of cancer treatment? Leave a comment below about how you coped and tips for others.

Want to show support for a survivor in your life? Take part in No-Shave November!

References

Coe K., Staten L., Rosales C., and Swanson M. The Enigma of the Stigma of Hair Loss: Why is Cancer-Treatment Related Alopecia so Traumatic for Women?  The Open Cancer Journal, 2013, 6, 1-8.

Trusson D., Pilnick A. The Role of Hair Loss in Cancer Identity: Perceptions of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia Among Women Treated for Early-Stage Breast Cancer or Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. Cancer Nursing Practice. 2017 Mar/Apr;40(2):E9-E16.

16 thoughts on “Hair Loss During Treatment Can be Traumatic: A Survivor’s Guide to Overcoming

  1. So many have no idea that scalp therapy shampoos for fast hair growth (of course without any sulfates, parabens or DEA) are a thing. Individuals are now able to possess longer hair and attain more alternatives. Surely worth looking into it. Whether you’re assessing hair loss, damaged hair, preventing scalp disorders, fast hair growth, hair and scalp health more often than not, very similar ideas become relevant. In general, you should try to stay away from hair treatments and products that use chemicals such as parabens, DEA and sulfates. What is beneficial for your hair is good for your skin as well. It goes without saying the content on this page hits the nail in the head for many reasons. It stays away from the common mistakes and pitfalls too many fall into- purchasing defective alternatives. Thank you!

  2. Thanks for sharing this article. It is very helpful for hair loss. When I was shopping and I came across this brand blackwood for men. Only tried it because the bottle looked cool but it helped my dandruff a lot (google it)

  3. Thanks for sharing this story regarding hair loss . I really found this very helpful. It will help many cancer patients to overcome their fear during the treatment.

  4. Thank you for this article. I had FOLFOX treatment for rectal cancer and was told that 1 in 6 have “thinning” of the hair. I did not expect to have too much loss since I already made it through capecitebin with no hair loss. I had 8 treatments and after I was done, I started losing hair to beat the band. I got a hair topper that clipped in and looked at it positively. I got tons of compliments on it. Wigs and toppers are amazing now. People who knew me well asked how my hair grew so fast!! I am still waiting for my hair to grow in thickly. It has been 10 weeks since my last treatment and it is just a light fuzz. I have enough hair to clip my topper on, but can’t wait for the real thing to really grow in! I was most surprised at how much hair I lost AFTER treatment ended. It can be a hard waiting period, but I know it will be growing soon. Thank you for the encouragement.

  5. It’s true that hair loss is not life-threatening, as it is a side-effect of chemotherapy. After the doctor told my sister that she has breast cancer, she’s been distressed about losing her hair. I think I’ll cheer her up by buying her some wigs from a good store if they can be modified to her situation so that she’ll still feel confident to go out.

  6. Nice post. I like very much this article about ” Hair Loss During Treatment Can be Traumatic: A Survivor’s Guide to Overcoming”. Thank you for your sharing.

  7. Thanks for sharing this information regarding hair loss. I really found this very helpful. And your article about” Hair Loss During Treatment Can be Traumatic: A Survivor’s Guide to Overcoming” give information about treatments which helpful for prevent hair loss.

    Nice post. I like very much this article about ” Hair Loss During Treatment Can be Traumatic: A Survivor’s Guide to Overcoming”. Thank you for the sharing.

  8. Thanks for sharing this information regarding hair loss . I really found this very helpful.And your article about”Hair Loss During Treatment Can be Traumatic: A Survivor’s Guide to Overcoming” give information about treatments which helpful for prevent hair loss.

  9. I lost my hair in 2013 and again in 2014 when I had chemo therapy for triple negative breast cancer treatment. I shaved my head and wore wigs and to this day I continue to wear wigs as I enjoyed the new look they afforded me and I have become so comfortable in wigs! Thankfully, my hair has grown back curly completely , but I always had baby fine thin hair and the wigs give me a great hair look. I have collected over 20 styles and colors and wear them almost daily.
    Thankfully, I am now cancer free for 5 1/2 years!

  10. I had FOLFOX and my hair just thinned. I had to get it cut as when my treatment stopped, the hair started growing in thick again and there was quite a difference. I had to get it cut short and it was the shortest i had it since i was a kid. I really felt ‘naked’ with the new length, and couldn’t wait to get it back to where it was. Its almost been two years since I finished treatment and its back to the length it was. Its so much better, and I feel so much better with it this length.

  11. I seriously could relate to all of it. I loved the convenience of not having to style my hair. Always so much pressure to look good. I hated the wigs (to hot)but found one that worked ok on special social situations. Growing the hair out is another challenge, but I think I’ll keep it short.

Comments are closed.