I have just completed 4/6 chemo treatments on neoadjuvant course. I chose cold cap and I have no discomfort at all with it. It really doesn’t bother me in any way. However I have lost most of the hair on the top of my head though the back is still relatively thick and firm. I had to push hard this time for the nurses to use the cold cap. Luckily the sister said she thought it was OK. As ever, the nurse said it is to protect your scalp and if I lose more they will not be able to continue. However online checks say If you use gauze patches and a gauze cap, as I have for last 2 treatments, it is for comfort as it will not damage your scalp. The hair at the back is actually long enough to cover most of the bare spots when wet and piled up over the top . I really want to retain as much hair as possible and hopefully assist quick regrowth ( some baby hair already growing on top) so do not want to stop cold cap as it’s obvious I would have lost it all without. Can I insist on continuing? I’m pretty sure it’s because some of the nurses can’t be bothered with the extra effort and time involved. The nurses on duty on round 3 were much more amenable.
Hi Jom,
I’ve just seen your post. Definitely keep going if you want to with the cold cap!!
Although I didn’t lose a lot of hair in one place on top, mine thinned to 50% or thereabouts, but I had read a lot about potential permanent chemotherapy induced alopecia (PCIA) and knew that even if I lost all my hair I would continue with the cold cap but just wear a surgical cap to protect my scalp. You have every right to request it each time so I hope you continue for yourself. I’m almost 4 weeks post my last chemo and my hair started regrowing from the last cycle and has grown a lot since I finished too.
Wishing you all the best with your treatment xx
Thanks I have 2 more cycles. However I already have new hair growing in the bald spots, fluffy baby hair so don’t want to stop. The helpful nurse on cycle 3 said it was probably because my hair was so thick originally it stopped the, full effect of the cold cap getting through. The potential for permanent loss worries me too
Hi ya.
I cold capped during my chemo which has just finished. I have a friend who is a hairdresser, cold cap ambassador & had BC herself. She always told me to stop if I felt I wanted to but do not let the nurses tell you to do so. Fortunately for me at my hospital they were very good about cold capping & when mine did get a bit thin they just put a surgical cap on me before putting the cap on just to protect my scalp. I lost hair on EC but once I moved on to Docetaxel it had already started to grow back. It’s definitely now thickening up & I honestly thin by using the cap it has protected the regrowth. I have eyebrows too & although fairly sparse I still have some lashes too. Hope that helps you xx
Keep going!
My hair has always been short and very fine. But I am determined to hang on to as much of it as possible. I have been cold capping for 4 months and have another 2 to go. I have had thinning around hairline and also a medium sized bald spot in the middle of my hair. I could not bear someone telling me to stop after all the time I have spent on this and all the hours I have been cold no matter how many layers I wear. What a waste.
If there is no medical reason to stop, can’t see how the nurses can stop you. Keep pushing and advocating for yourself. You’ve already come this far so why should you be made to stop now.
Thanks for the support