losing your hair
losing your hair I have been diagnosed with breast cancer on 16th march. i am due to go in for surgery on the 29th march. At 26 the thought of losing my hair and fertility issues is quite daunting. My mother had breast cancer 2 years ago and (touchwood) is now ok. So seeing what my mum went through has knid of prepared me- my main worries are hair loss and fertility issues as i would lke to have children on day. I would love to hear back if anyone feels the same or has any advice.
Thankyou
Nadia x
I felt the same Hi Nadia. I was diagnosed in June last year and those two exact things were all I could think about at the time. I knew I should be able to cope with the hairloss issue on the basis that it’s a temporary side effect, but that did nothing to allieviate my dread of losing my hair. I really thought I wouldn’t leave the house for 6 months, wouldn’t be able to let my fiance see me with nothing on my head, etc, etc, but in fact the thought of hairloss for me was far more daunting than the reality. I’m not going to pretend I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t devastating, and before I knew it, it was coming back. I luckily held on to quite a few eyelashes and eyebrows, which helped I think, and I bought a very good wig before chemo started.
The fertility issue for me was enormous. I couldn’t rationalise that one by telling myself that it was temporary, because it wouldn’t be. I was scared of the risk to the extent that I almost decided not to have chemo, but in the back of our heads, we knew that it made sense to have chemo. I’m 34, my partner and I wanted to start a family in the next year or so. Two things got me through it. Firstly, we went through an IVF cycle and now have 17 embryos frozen somewhere in West London just in case we need them at a later stage. Obviously there are no guarantees, and this isn’t an option for everyone, but my medical team encouraged me to go through the IVF process, and for me, it means I have done all I can. That made the chemo mentally more tolerable for me. Secondly, I keep telling myself that for someone my age, it’s only 25-33% likely that chemo will make me infertile, so the odds are on my side. You are much younger than I, so it is even less likely to make you infertile.
The fertility issue is in the hands of fate now. We will wait 2 years before we start trying for a family, and I’m certain my periods will have returned by then. The hair issue is a completely different matter…I now have a short crop, a VERY short crop, but it’s hair all the same.
I’m sorry that you are going through this, but like me, and your mum, before you know it you will be out the other end.
I hope your surgery goes well. Take care
natalie x
Hey nadia
I was diognosed begining Dec 06, im now 4 sessions into 6 cycles of chemo and still have a hold of all my hair (touch wood), sorry i have to say that every time i say it dont want to tempt fate. Iv been useing the cold cap it as worked wonders although very very cold its been worth it. obviously it doesnt work 4 everyone and ive heard there are differnt types of chemo out there that it isnt so effective with, but make sure u are given the option.
On the fertillity issue, Im 22 and was told there was only 10% chance that fertillity would be effected. I went to a fertillity clinic and was offered egg freezing at a VERY high price or the option to appeal to get it funded on the NHS, I was due to start chemo the following monday and just wanted to crack on with it so didnt go down that route. My lovely oncoligist offered me Zoletex injectionns which to my understanding basically put my ovaries to sleep so hopefully the chemo won’t harm them. Ther=se injections can only be offered to patients whose cancer was not hormone receptive. So find out about that one.
Hope this helps iv never actually given out advise on this site b4 thought id make myself usefull.
take care
Nic
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Hi there nadia,
I was DX August last year. The same issues were a concern to me. Firsty fertility, I visited a fertility doctor who told me she did not want to harvest any eggs as i’m oestrogen receptive (80% of cases are) and harvesting would involve injecting oestrogen to stimulate the eggs. I too felt this was risky disicion, so decided against this option. A guest speaker oncologist at the young womens forum, told me at 30 my odds of infertility were around 15%, but as i’m 27, the odds would be even better again. I finished chemo 4 weeks ago, and my periods continued as normal throughout, which I’m told is a good sign ( that’s not to say some disruption is bad news).
Luckly I’ve still got a full head of hair, although it has thinned considerably, but nothing a stranger off the street would notice and fter having a trim on the weekend, I could see loads of new hairs coming through already. I did the cold cap and found it not to be that bad, so this may be worth trying.
All the best with your treatment, Lisa x
Hi Nadia,
I was diagnosed last summer when i was 26 and i too was worried about hair loss and fertility. My mum has had breast cancer twice and ovarian cancer so i knew i would get it eventually, although i wasnt expecting it till my 40’s.
My hair started to fall out after my second Epi and started to grow back after my third! My hair is now over an inch long/short! When it started to fall out i had my head shaved which made me feel loads better - like i was in control.
As for fertility treatment, we werent offered it on the NHS as we already have a son so we saw a consultant privately and decided against fertility treatment. As it happens, after 4 x Epi and 4 x CMF i am still having a regular period so I’m assuming my fertility hasnt been affected - so glad we didnt spend the £3,000 on fertility treatment now!
I wish you all the luck.
Ju xx
Thankyou for your comments, it’s reassuring to hear from other people who have gone through this experience. i hope you are all on the road to recovery. Thankyou Nic for the advice about injections for fertility treatment, i will look into that.
Thankyou
Kind regards
Nadia X
Hi Nadia
I was diagnosed in june 06 at the age of 37 and received 4 epirubicin and 4 cmf and my periods carried on as normal so hopefully this will be the case for you as you are younger than me. As for the hair issue, I thought that It would be a huge issue for me as my hair was always a topic for discussion ( it was long, curly and red). However in reality i found that I was glad to shave it off as it was starting to itch so badly. I also used it not only to get a straight red wig but also a blond one. It can be quite liberating to try out different colours and styles which I would never have had to confidence to do before. Also, your hair will grow back surprisingly fast!
hope this helps, take care and good luck with the treatment
F1 Fan
Hi Nadia
You’ve already been given the advice by everyone else but just thought I would add my bit… dx at 26 last June. I did choose to spend £3000 (huge gulp!) on private fertility treatment & have 16 eggs frozen in case I need them. However, although my periods stopped whilst on chemo (I had vinorelbine & epirubicine which is a low fertility risk combination) last October, since finishing in mid Jan I am now having my 3rd period so I would now (very happily) say it looks like they are back for good!
I started to lose my hair after my first cycle of chemo, had my head shaved (see pic on my profile!) and now have v short but v thick hair again (its only v short cos I kept shaving it until it had really thickened up!). You will probably find that if you do lose your hair, you will get comfortable with it very quickly.
If you fancy chatting more, there are quite a few of us young uns in contact… see the chat thread ‘Dx at 22’ by Nik Nak that is also on this younger women section of the chat forums.
Take care,
Sarah x
Hair loss I am sorry I cant help with the fertility side as I know so little about it except that I was devastated to think that my baby days where over, my oncologist said my treatment would be the end of it but he was wrong as my baby days are still definatley not over now I am struggling with contraception instead LOL, keep your chin up and never say never everybody is different.
I have found a great new web site designed by Trevor Sorbie that I would have loved when I lost my hair and started wearing wigs I hope it can maybe be of some help to you.
I found that losing my hair was upsetting but also had its good points too. I had long hair before the chemo that I loved and it was very thick too and naturally curly but I hated the curls and spent hours straightening it so used to take me forever to wash and dry etc. It was lovely to be able to get in the bath or shower and not worry about getting my hair wet. I could lay back in the bath and totally relax and soak my head in the water which I really enjoyed. I could wear a hat without getting helmet head LOL, saved a fortune on hair products and probablly on electric too from no longer needing my trusty straightners LOL. Always look for positives in any situation thats my moto!!
Best wishes with everything and love and hugs to all
Neenie xx
Hi Neenie,
thanks for the advice on the website its really cool. i looked at your profile and you seem like a really strong beautiful woman. All the best for the furture.
Nadia x
I’m new to this too! Hi nadia,
I am 34 and was diagnosed last monday,19th March, what a horrendous day that was! I’m sure you totally understand. I too am going into hospital, for a mastectomy, on thurs 29th and am absolutely terrified to be honest! If you don’t mind me asking, are you having a lumpectomy or a mastectomy?
Like you I am terrifried at the thought of losing my hair and also having trouble conceiving. Hopefully age is on both our side though eh! As I have very long hair I have been advised to get it cut short which I am doing tomorrow. The hairdresser is wonderful and really sympathetic and my boyfriend is coming with me for moral support. I know its ‘only hair’ as some might say, but its my hair and I happen tolike it as it is! No doubt I’ll be off to the pub for a stiff drink after!!
Fingers crossed I am having some of my eggs frozen after the op, before chemo. The thought of not ever being able to have children is too horrid to bear at the mo so I want to give myself the best possible chance.
Best of luck to you for your op. Will definately be thinking of you as its the same day as mine.
Lets stay positive and try to keep smiling,
Keep me posted,
Love kelly xx
Headstrong Hi all
Breast Cancer Care publishes a factsheet on the subject of hair loss and breast cancer. I have given the link here:
breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php_id=2548
In some areas Head Strong runs sessions by specially-trained volunteers, this free service explores the many issues faced by people experiencing hair loss.
A Head Strong appointment will give you practical tips and information on looking after your hair and scalp before during and after your treatment, as well as handy scarf-tying ideas.
At your appointment you will be able to try on a range of hats, scarves, fringes and hairpieces in a comfortable and private environment. You also have the opportunity to buy selected items of stock.
This service is beginning to be expanded into more areas of the country. For more information and to find out where your nearest Head Strong session is running see the link below:
breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=2548
or telephone your area office.
Hope this of some help
Kind regards.
Forum Host
Breast Cancer Care
Hi Kelly,
Sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with this awful ‘thing’.
i am having a lumpectomy on 29th March. i am slowly coming round to the idea i may lose my hair- it is a terryfying thought as your hair is a part of your personality and it is the physical sign that you have got BC. my specialist nurse also advised me to get my hair cut short before chemo. you sound like you have a really supportive partner which is a real good thing. have you read the posts before this one?- a lady called Neenie recommened a website - www.mynewhair.com. It is part of Trevor Sorbie and is really useful as it has info for people having chemo therapy.
I have been told that should be able to have embryos freezed for fertility treatment. I definaltey want children someday so will be good to know there is backup in case needed. I will be thinking of you too on Thursday, we will get through that day :-).
Speak Soon
Love Nadia xx