Breast cancer, by its very nature, can challenge a woman’s perception of her femininity. Who wants people to think they have abnormal breasts? I didn’t. Breast surgery can also be psychologically traumatic, and radiotherapy can affect the appearance of the breast too.
Sometimes, as part of cancer treatment, chemotherapy drugs are used, and some of these cause hair-loss – another devastating blow to confidence and self-esteem. Even when hair regrows, it may be damaged, becoming delicate and curly (so-called chemo curl) for a long time afterwards.
So does your hair have to fall out or weaken? Well, chemotherapy tends to damage fast-growing cells, which is why it works against cancer. However, for the same reason, hair follicle cells are also sometimes affected.
Wearing ‘cold-caps’ during treatment can help by lowering scalp temperature. This reduces blood supply to hair-roots and thus local exposure to the chemo-drug. This can limit hair damage/loss in many people, but not all.
Recently, hairdresser and biochemist, Daniel Field, has developed products to protect hair during and after chemotherapy.
Daniel has a fascinating story. Whilst young, he hated the smell of his mother’s perming lotion, and decided to invent non-smelly products. They were so successful that he became a very young millionaire. He then opened several hairdressing salons and trained as a hairdresser himself.
Sadly he later had the heart-breaking experience of shaving his own mother’s hair when she started to lose it during treatment for ovarian cancer. He told me of the frustration he felt, as he tried his best to cut a nice style into a less than perfect wig for her.
This inspired him to use his biochemical expertise to develop natural products to protect hair during chemotherapy. They restore the alignment of hair amino acids, thus reversing damage and chemo-curl, improving texture and strengthening delicate hair. He also has hair-colour products which are so gentle that they can be used whilst having chemotherapy. His Hair Growth Active spray keeps hair in the growing phase, thus encouraging regrowth after hair-loss.
But breast cancer treatment affects hair in other ways too. Many women require anti-oestrogen treatment for years after diagnosis, such as tamoxifen or aromatase-inhibitors. These reduce natural oestrogens and thus can cause scalp irritation or dryness and dry/frizzy hair. The hair can thin, sometimes leading to male-pattern baldness. Daniel tells me that his products are able to help these problems too.
Daniel has recently opened a suite in central London where he provides hair-care services and advice. A wig service is also provided by Jane Whitfield, and Fiona Murphy, who has her own interesting story, provides beautician services specially for people going through cancer. Daniel’s hair products can also be ordered from his website and he offers fifteen minute free consultations.
So yes, some people will suffer hair loss or damage during their breast cancer treatment but it isn’t inevitable, and there are steps you can take which may help. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.
By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
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Note: This article expresses personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.
Further Information:
http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/hair_skin_nails/cold-caps
http://www.sparklethroughchemo.co.uk