Support with hair loss
Hair loss or thinning can occur as a result of treatment with certain chemotherapy drugs. Other treatments such as immunotherapy or hormone therapy are more likely to cause hair thinning. Radiotherapy is more likely to cause hair loss only around the area that is being treated. With surgery, the only hair loss is likely to be if a specific area of hair needs to be shaved in preparation for the operation.
In most cases hair will grow back after treatment has finished.
For further information please refer to these websites:
Cancer Research UK: Hair loss, thinning and cancer treatment
Macmillan: Hair Loss
NHS: Cancer and Hair Loss (specific to chemotherapy)
Breast Cancer Now: What to expect if you lose your hair (specific to chemotherapy)
Hair Loss due to chemotherapy treatment
Hair loss may vary from mild thinning that is hardly noticeable to a loss of all hair. This will depend on a number of factors; the chemotherapy drug or combinations of drugs you may be given, the dose, and the way your own body reacts to the drugs. If you are having chemotherapy for your cancer treatment, one of the nurses will talk to you about the potential impact.
Some chemotherapy drugs may affect hair from parts of the body other than the head, for example eyebrows and eyelashes, beards and moustaches, chest hair, arm/underarm hair and pubic hair.
Cancer Research UK: Hair loss, thinning and cancer treatment
Cancer Hair UK: Chemotherapy guide, Radiotherapy guide
If you have been told you will definitely lose your hair, your nurse specialist might speak to you about about reducing or preventing hair loss using a system called “Scalp Cooling”. This is suitable only for in conjunction with only a certain chemotherapy treatments. Your nurse specialist may discuss this option with you before you are due to start treatment.
Macmillan: Scalp Cooling
Cancer Hair UK: Scalp Cooling
Hair loss due to Hormonal and Targeted (biological) therapies
Sometimes people will notice their hair becomes thinner, maybe curlier or more brittle while taking hormone therapy. This is often mild and will grow back at the end of treatment. If you have a beard you may notice less beard growth. You will be able to ask questions about this prior to being prescribed the drugs.
Videos of patients telling their stories of coping with hair loss
Three cancer patients share their experience of hair loss
Experience of hair loss after chemotherapy to treat lymphoma
Follow this link to our webpage about head coverings and wigs that you may find useful if you expect to experience hair loss or thinning as a result of your cancer treatment.