According to the Mayo Clinic, “both men and women report hair loss as one of the side effects they fear most after being diagnosed with cancer.” Below are the five w’s on losing hair and tips to overcome so you can focus on surviving.
Who– anyone going through chemotherapy from children to adults. Chemotherapy is often recommended from most conventional doctors as a way to treat malignant tumors. Some also add radiation in the treatments which can tend to have a longer process for the hair to regrow.
What– hair loss is also called alopecia but not all people lose hair because of chemotherapy. Some people can lose hair because it is a simple aging process or other factors.
When– this can vary from person to person as well as the strength of the immune system and level of chemotherapy that weakens the immune system.
Where- you can lose all of the hair on every inch of your body.(Ex: arm pit, eye lashes, eyebrows, back, chest, legs, arms, pubic areas, head)
Why– hair loss can occur because of various levels or dosages of chemicals or drugs from chemotherapy.
Now that you know some of the basics on hair loss whether you are dealing with it now, going to be dealing with it in the future, or know someone who will be dealing with it, you can help.
Self image is an important factor that also goes hand in hand with regards to hair loss. There are several phenomenal people, women specifically, who have rocked the “beautifully bald” look.
Do not feel the need to have to buy a wig or wear a scarf all the time. If you would like to, that is also as well. Sometimes your scalp needs to breathe. When wigs are kept on for long periods of time, sometimes the scalp is not able to breathe allowing for a longer time for hair regrowth.
If you would like to have a wig and unable to afford one, I Will Survive, Inc. has some wigs for breast cancer pre-survivors in our program. If you would like to donate unused wigs please do so as well and also very important, please consider donating to our program to buy new wigs that our clients can enjoy.
Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. If you would like to buy a hair care package to support our mission please follow the link below. Your generous donation will help by providing resources for those whose can’t afford it.
Our community partner (founded by a breast cancer survivor), Wear It Girl Wigs, provides free private fittings for as many wigs as you would like (short, black, long, blonde) with scarves. Thanks to the donations of un-used wigs from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
For more information, please contact us at 404-483-8503 or email at contact@iwillsurviveinc.org
Written by Anisa Palmer, Founder of I Will Survive, Inc. Follow on twitter @AnisaPalmer