Headgear

Starting chemo soon, on hormones now and losing small amount of hair already. I’ve tried on chemo caps but they are all too small. Ditto for wigs. Any advice for a big-headed woman? (55 cm head circumference)

Hi Penny, I went to A BCC Headstrong session which was great, tried on lots of different headgear and learn to tie scarves which will fit anyone, maybe see if there is a session near you? For wigs prob bet to use a shop rather than web, the shop i went to measured my heand and ordered the style I wanted in my size. Good luck xx

Hi Penny

You might be interested in our Headstrong services which can offer help and support with hairloss and options. Here’s the link:

breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-services/information-support-sessions/headstrong

Kind regards.

Louise, Facilitator

penny47, if your head is big, then mine must be huge at 57, however there are sites which offer sizes up to 60 something for hats. try annabandana, suburbanturban and headcovers (USA) for hats. or, try scarves. local markets are good for plain pashminas which you can wrap around head african style (my chosen method) which look great, or cotton square scarves from “the indiashop” online which are reasonably priced. then go on you tube to find how to tie/wrap your scarves and pashminas. it’s really easy after a few practices
all the best
angela xx

posted twice!

Thanks Angela. Really looking forward to wearing scarves, but need that little bit more cover that I could get from a sleep cap! A little disappointed with websites which don’t always tell you their sizing. Just starting to knit a soft cottton sleep cap for around the house.

Thanks Louise- we don’t seem to have a Headstrong near us although the Maggie’s centre near the hospital does headgear sessions. Their next session after tomorrow (which I can’t get to) is in May which might be just okay as far as timing goes. I think looking at people’s experiences the best thing is to try stuff before spending a lot of money which just too easy to do on line if you’re not careful!

Hi Penny
As AngelaG said try annabandana they are really good and all the scarves/bandanas have soft elastic so they stretch to a good size and they are great value , I brought lots square scarves and also just experimented with them too had lots of comments on how good they looked so thats worth a try you can pick them up for a few pounds so if its not for you you havent lost much

Thanks Lottie- I didn’t realize that about Annabandana- it isn’t so clear from the photos. Sounds like they would really keep a good shape and maybe even not slip off so easily. I wore scarves all the time in the 1970’s- gave it up when my kids got to school and there was no time to iron them! Maybe I’ll get one of the elasticated ones and see if I can adapt some of my old scarves.

I just got my OH to measure my head- it’s 59 not 55 cm! This is NOT a competition for big headedness. I’m just starting a little chemo cap to a pattern I found on Ravelry. And I got the green light for chemo today so here goes.

Our MD is working in Bolivia on a short contract, returning this week. On an impulse I asked her to check the market in her village for hats. As a result she’s found knitted caps in gorgeous colours (and in my size, too!)and they are angora wool mix so apparently very soft and non itchy. They are very cheap too. So now I am really sorted- can’t wait to wear them! Looking back on it I realize I subconsciously have a mental picture of Bolivian indigenous women wearing bowler hats- probably left over from school Geography lessons. Thank God for E-mail and Skype!

Penny47
As others have said, Subrban Turban have agood selection of hats, scarves and sleep hats. Annabandana also. Also just Google “headwear after chemotherapy”. I sure it will come up with lots of sites.
And remember, it’s not forever. My hair started coming out mid May 2011, and by New Years Day I stopped wearing any headwear at all. So only 6 months really!
Good luck
Mandy xx

Thanks Mandy. That’s a new one to me -S T. The prices of some sites take a bit of getting used to. I am holding off buying caps til I have tried one on at the hospital. The profile picture now is me with some of the caps my daughter bought for me in Bolivia. (she tried them on first and sent me the photo on Facebook) They are really soft and I am sure I will enjoy them all through chemo whether I lose my hair or not. I’m being shorn next week and colour typed for when it all grows back assuming it will be greyer than it is now.

Just spent an afternoon on my Head and Hair- first the hospital cancer centre in the onc unit, then the hairdresser to cut my lovely locks off short. i should have done it the other way round but the hospital centre shuts at 4:30 and I had my hair appt at 4. I’m so glad I tried them on-the caps at the hospital are Too Small with one exception- the ones made in Somerset, perfect. Not exactly a sleep cap, more a renaissance style you can wear plain or dress up with scarves and as some of my scarves are small and slippery I bought one. Not cheap but useful.
I was amazed to find some of the kerchiefs they had at the hospital were too small too. The stretchy hats they sell at Maggie’s fit me fine although they are a tricel-type of fabric (not sure what they will feel like in hot weather) (if we ever get any) and in swimsuit colours but much cheaper so I will be investing in a couple.

Update on wigs- I had a brief session trying on wigs at the Focus centre at Cheltenham Onc where I have chemo. We established right away that my head needed a larger size, even without hair! The larger sizes are available but are very expensive. The staff at Focus applied for me to have funding for the larger size wigs and I have been accepted. So I paid for my prescription (£64.95- I gather this varies from area to area!?!) and now I can be fitted with a wig up to £140. It was marvellous to have this kind of support especially just now when my scalp feels prickly and sensitive and my hair is coming out.
About hats: Maggie’s centres sell those bright stretchy tricel hats, and they are not only lovely on but they cost £5 which is a lot cheaper than some of the websites. If you prefer cotton then you need to pay more.