I don’t know yet if I wil be having chemo but would like to ask “does everyone lose their hair during treatment?”
Hello Melena
It will all depend which Chemo you are having. You could also consider using the cold cap which some ladies have had great success with.
If you do have chemo your Oncologist will tell you if will lose your hair and if your hospital offers the use of Cold Caps.
Good luck
Hi, I had chemo from 22.11.12 - 8.3.13, 6 cycles, and I had Fec-100/T (docetaxel) and I chose to use the cold cap. As hairloss was a sideffect. It worked on me but did loose a lot of hair. It got very thin on top but could cover it with my long fringe, so only if people knew or I showed them, it wasnt noticable. The cold cap was uncomfortable but I was determined to stick with it. They can’t promise it will work. If it doesn’t you shoul know pretty soon and then no reason to sit with cold cap. My eyebrows more or less dissapered and most of my eyelashes. Most of my bodyhair went but look at the bright side I didn’t have to shave legs or armpits. That has know started to come back again. I don’t know what chemo you will have but they will tell you about all the side effects and coldcap if. Hope this help a little.
Hi Melena,
When my mum had breast cancer about 15 years ago her hair never feel out although it went thinner, so I was thinking that would be the same for me…however after first session of FEC it feel out like crazy and had the clumps that were left buzz cut off. I then came across http://heathershair.co.uk/Heathers\_Hair/Welcome.html which is a wig alternative and I wore everyday. It kept me sane during the whole treatment as no one knew there was anything wrong with me. It’s a charity and run my donation. Hope this can help you.
Hope the your chemo is as gentle as it can be.
Marie
I start chemo soon and they have offered me the cold cap. I haven’t decided yet whether to have it or not. Th nurse said as my hair is thick then I have a good chance of keeping it if I use the cold cap. I wear it short so should I have it trimmed before i start the treatment. it is all so scary.
Hi Melena. If you are having FEC you will lose your hair unless you use the cold cap. It is the E - epirubicin - in FEC which mainly causes hair loss. I used the cold cap 5 years ago and kept my hair. Like helle33 it thinned on top, but I was able to get away with it. The cold cap was hugely uncomfortable and also lengthens the time you have to spend in the chemo unit. For it to work effectively you need the cold cap on about 45 minutes before and after the chemo. I’m due another round of chemo soon and I’m still undecided as to what to do.
Good luck with your treatment - it’s so much easier once you’ve got going xx
Hi Melena
I am posting a link to the BCC ‘Hair loss’ information and support services which i hope you will find useful:
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Melena,
I had FEC x 6 , used the cold cap - as you can see from my photo - and didn’t lose my hair. It didn’t even thin, really. Maybe shed a little more than normal, but you really couldn’t see any difference. This is unusual, but I am living proof that it is possible to have chemo and not lose your hair!
The cold cap hurts for the first 10 minutes or so, but after that you go numb. It’s well worth doing. It doesn’t work for everyone, but even if you do lose hair using it, it will probably grow back quicket afterwards, according to what I’ve read of other people’s experiences. There are a number of threads on here in the chemo section about using the cold cap, which will give you all the info and tips you need.
Good luck with your treatment!