hi, Im set to have this treatment and was told it could cause hair loss. ( I will try the cap)
I have also read there are treatments that dont cause hair loss, do you know what names those ones go by, the ones that dont cause hair loss ? and can I ask that they use one of those instead of the Paclitaxol ?
Hi
Once you get into the flow of chemo, hair loss, which is only a temporary thing, may seem less significant. I know for some women it’s a huge thing and some people do manage with the cold cap. Remember it adds hours to your treatment (paclitaxel is a relatively quick one, maybe an hour in total - then add 2-3 hours for cold-capping) and it may seem less worth it. It’s also not guaranteed to work, so please don’t put all your hope into it. But if it works, that’s great for you.
All hospitals have links to a Macmillan wig service. Although I didn’t wear mine much, it really was indistinguishable from my own original hair. I’d already opted for a number 6 buzzcut which I loved and wore beanies in the winter (I treated myself to cashmere ones which I doubled up). I didn’t lose all my hair on paclitaxel, well, my head hair - my pubic hair and nose hair disappeared rapidly and it’s amazing how important they actually are but you take them for granted till you start peeing every which way! And the biggest blow for me was losing my eyelashes. I don’t know why.
The only other treatment I had was EC - that was when I started losing hair so that’s no use. It also wasn’t an alternative but the main treatment. You will need to ask your oncologist about alternatives because every cancer is unique and only s/he will know what will work most effectively. I’m on oral chemo now and there’s been no hair loss but the drug is very strong and reserved for secondary breast cancers. EC and Paclitaxel are the most common treatment for primary breast cancer so you may have no choice. Personally I’d choose effective treatment over hair loss any day but we’re all different.
I hope your oncologist can help or reassure you xx