We recently shared Ellie's story as part of the digital storytelling project. Ellie shares her concerns about her kidney diagnosis and hair loss. Today's blog is sharing support information if you are also worried about losing your hair. Hair loss can be a side effect of your cancer treatment and often causes a range of emotions. Your hair can often form part of your identity so it's natural that losing your hair is causing some concern.
Our Community members regularly share experiences and tips for coping with hair loss. In this blog, we are highlighting conversations about hair loss from different Community forums and sharing support information.
Hair loss support from our forums
You’re not alone if you’re worried about losing your hair. It's also natural to have questions and concerns about this because is probably a new experience for you. Discussions about losing your hair and how this makes you feel is something we regularly members talking about across all our Community groups. Finding support from a cancer forum like ours can provide the reassurance and support you may be looking for, just like it has done for these members:
“Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I am finding reading through the different groups and comments very helpful.”
Community member, Cervical cancer forum, ‘chemoradiotherapy’ discussion thread
“I thought my beard and hair was safe until day 9, it started to fall out so out came my clippers. It was good to take control tbh. A year ago, I couldn't have imagined me saying or doing any of this and actually laughing about some of it. You take care and ask away.”
Community member, Myeloma forum, ‘hello again’ discussion thread
Hair loss stories from our forum members
The Community is a place where you can find people sharing their personal experiences as our groups are a safe and supportive space to talk about the emotional effects of hair loss, and share practical tips with each other.
If you are looking for friendly and kind support groups, our Community forums are spaces to ask questions, offer support and share personal experiences. Why not post in our Chemotherapy forum, Emotional support forum or cancer type forums today? You have access to the Community 24 hours a day and I’m sure there will be members close by willing to offer some support.
“I've finished dose-dense chemotherapy and just having radiotherapy for stage 2 breast cancer. My Chemo finished 8 weeks ago and my eyebrows and eyelashes are falling out as well as not having any hair growth to my head. I've been told a side effect of Abemaciclib is hair loss. Wondering if anyone else has had hair loss as side effect as worrying I may never get my hair to grow back once I start the Abemaciclib. Thank you”
Community member, Breast cancer forum, ‘Abemaciclib and hair loss’ discussion thread
“I hope you are coming to terms with the hair loss. Personally, I think it must be just as hard for you blokes as it is for us women. I still have days where I am all over the place and it messes with your head. I have joined a few cancer support groups near where I live and I find this has helped massively. Talking to people in the same boat or just having complimentary treatments have made me feel soo much better.”
Community member, Emotional support forum, ‘hair loss’ discussion thread
“Mum's just had her 4th weekly paclitaxel, she is saying she has lost loads but it's not noticeable to us only thing that’s we can see at the moment is the roots have turned rather grey. Will hair continue to fall out as treatment goes on or will its stop and start to see regrowth?”
Community member, Breast cancer forum, ‘12 weekly taxol hair loss’ discussion thread
Our Community forums are a great place to meet others in a similar situation, but there are also guest bloggers and members sharing their stories in our Community news blog.
Below are a few blogs that may be helpful for you to read:
More support from Macmillan when coping with cancer and hair loss
Have you experienced hair loss and want to share coping strategies with members of the Community? Why not be our next guest blogger? To find out more about featuring your story in our Community news blog, comment below or email community@macmillan.org.uk.
