Breast cancer is a devastating illness, and it can have an immense impact on the life of the person affected. One of the most common side effects of this condition is hair loss, which can be particularly difficult to deal with emotionally. In this article, we will explore what causes breast cancer-related hair loss and how it can be managed.
Table Of Content:
- Breast cancer and hair loss | Breast Cancer Care
- Hair Loss
- What to expect if you lose your hair | Breast Cancer Now
- A multicenter survey of temporal changes in chemotherapy-induced ...
- Hair Loss & Metastatic Breast Cancer | LBBC
- Persistent Alopecia in a Breast Cancer Patient Following Taxane ...
- Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment ...
- Will I Lose My Hair With Breast Cancer Treatment | Moffitt
- Breast Cancer and Hair Loss: Experiential Similarities and D ...
- TLC: Hair Loss and Mastectomy Products
1. Breast cancer and hair loss | Breast Cancer Care
https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/going-through-treatment-breast-cancer/side-effects/side-effects-chemotherapy/breast-cancer-hair-loss
Many people will lose either some or all of their hair as a result of treatment for breast cancer. People who have chemotherapy often experience hair loss.
2. Hair Loss
https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment-side-effects/hair-loss
Jul 27, 2022 ... Hair loss or thinning is a potential side effect of some breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.
3. What to expect if you lose your hair | Breast Cancer Now
https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/going-through-treatment-breast-cancer/side-effects/breast-cancer-hair-loss/if-you-lose-your-hair
Hair loss will usually begin gradually within two or three weeks of starting chemotherapy. For some people it may be sooner and ...
4. A multicenter survey of temporal changes in chemotherapy-induced ...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326423/
Jan 9, 2019 ... Our survey showed that 99.9% of patients with breast cancer have experienced hair loss due to anthracycline and/or taxane-containing ...
5. Hair Loss & Metastatic Breast Cancer | LBBC
https://www.lbbc.org/learn/types-breast-cancer/metastatic-breast-cancer/side-effects-and-metastatic-breast-cancer/hair
Aug 31, 2015 ... Hair loss usually doesn't start until after a few treatments. You may lose hair in the shower or notice clumps on your pillow, comb or brush.
6. Persistent Alopecia in a Breast Cancer Patient Following Taxane ...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6166916/
Jul 27, 2018 ... Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is a frequent side effect of treatment in oncology patients. Breast cancer patients may develop alopecia secondary ...
7. Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment ...
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemotherapy/in-depth/hair-loss/art-20046920
Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications that attack rapidly growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells in your ...
8. Will I Lose My Hair With Breast Cancer Treatment | Moffitt
https://moffitt.org/cancers/breast-cancer/faqs/will-i-lose-my-hair-with-breast-cancer-treatment/
That's because the chemo medications may damage some of your hair follicles as they work to destroy your breast cancer. Most likely, if you lose your hair, it ...
9. Breast Cancer and Hair Loss: Experiential Similarities and D ...
https://journals.lww.com/cancernursingonline/Fulltext/2021/01000/Breast_Cancer_and_Hair_Loss__Experiential.9.aspx
A study comparing equal numbers of male and female Turkish cancer patients' experiences of cancer treatment–induced alopecia found that both genders experienced ...
10. TLC: Hair Loss and Mastectomy Products
https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/tlc-a-magalog.html
tlc (Tender Loving Care) is an American Cancer Society publication. We offer products for women coping with breast cancer or any cancer treatment that ...
What causes breast cancer-related hair loss?
Hair loss from breast cancer is caused by chemotherapy drugs or hormone therapies used to treat the illness, such as Tamoxifen or other aromatase inhibitors. These medications interfere with the normal production of hormones in the body that stimulate healthy hair growth, leading to thinning or complete baldness.
Is there any treatment for breast cancer-related hair loss?
Yes, there are ways to manage and even prevent hair loss from breast cancer treatments. Talk to your oncologist about options available such as scalp cooling caps that can help reduce the amount of drug entering the scalp and preserving more hair follicles. There are also topical treatments that can help keep existing hairs healthy during treatment.
How long does it take for my hair to grow back after stopping chemotherapy?
It usually takes between 3-4 months for all the lost hairs to regrow once you are no longer undergoing chemotherapy treatments. However, if you had existing scalp damage before starting chemo or used harsh chemical products during chemotherapy, it may take up to six months for the new hairs to begin growing back in these areas.
Are there any special hairstyling techniques I need to use while undergoing chemotherapy?
Yes, there are some tips that can help minimize additional stress on your scalp while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Avoid tight hairstyles such as braids or ponytails since they pull at your roots and put extra pressure on them; try using softer hairstyles like loose buns and low ponytails instead. Additionally, shampooing too often or using harsh chemical products should be avoided as they can worsen existing scalp damage caused by chemo drugs.
What should I do if my hair does not come back after chemotherapy is done?
If you find that your hair does not regrow after 6 months of finishing chemo treatments then speak with your doctor about potential solutions such as human hair wigs or non-surgical solutions like hats and scarves that offer full coverage without damaging your existing hairs.
Conclusion:
Breast cancer-related hair loss can be both physically and emotionally uncomfortable but it does not have to mean a permanent change in appearance. With proper guidance from medical professionals and lifestyle adjustments (like reducing chemical product usage), managing this side effect becomes much easier over time. With enough patience and care--hair will grow back again!