Hair loss

Hi Ewagirl 

As a general rule I don't think people have hair loss as such with the standard anal cancer treatment. It was the first question I asked my oncologist and he said it might thin a bit but that would be it. Mine did a little bit not so as anyone else would notice but I do have a lot of hair. I finished treatment on the 6th November and went to the hairdressers a month later and she commented on all the new hair growing, so in my case a month. Don't know if that's any help or not. Xx

Hi Ewagirl,

I don't think the standard chemo drugs used for AC cause much hair loss - some on this forum have had a little thinning, but I don't think I recall anyone here needing a wig.

Personally, I was more aware of the hair that came out whilst I was showering but I'm not sure that it was actually any more than usual. Certainly not enough that anyone would notice, and when I asked my hairdresser she said there was no difference.

Hopefully you'll not lose too much. xxx

Thank you! It’s so hard to know because it’s already not a lot but this is all encouraging!

TY

Hi Ewagirl,

• I'm worried about this too... my hair is quite fine and I already lose quite a bit when washing which I think is down to perimenopause. Fingers crossed it's not as bad as we anticipate! Xx

Hi Ewagirl,

I think I'm definitely an outlier here, but I did lose a fair amount of hair. Not enough that I need a wig or have bald spots, but my part is definitely wider, and my ponytail is absolutely pathetic. To be honest, I'm not super happy about the situation and am anxiously waiting for it start to grow back in (I'm six weeks post treatment right now). 

That being said, by far the majority of people on this forum only experience a little thinning, so odds are with you. I've thought about this and think that hair loss depends on the chemo regimen and also the person's response to it. I had two rounds of IV chemo (Mitomycin C and 5-FU both times) and had a lot of side effects like mouth sores and neutropenic fever. Maybe I'm just more sensitive than others?

I followed the advice of some of the forum members here and used baby shampoo, cut back on the number of times I shampooed each week, and avoided heat like the plague (no blow-drying or styling). I also brushed my hair extremely gently. I wore baseball hats a lot during treatment (I now have quite a collection, lol).

Anyway, just another experience here. I hope you sail through the chemo bit with minimal thinning, I'm rooting for you! Xx

Thank you so much for your perspective! I am on the same chemo as u ( one round done) so I’ll keep this in mind! I hope your hair comes back lady Godiva syls !

Hi I had the same chemo regime and had a little bit of hair thinning and nausea from the mitomycin but nothing else. X

Hi Ewagirl,

 I remember being so worried about this. I also have fine, thin hair like you but fortunately only experienced some thinning during treatment. 
I know responses are individual depending on the regime but very much hope that you don’t experience any significant loss. Everything crossed for you.

xx

Hi

I didn't suffer from hair loss..

I was very conscious not to tie my hair up or use straighteners whilst getting treatment.  I only washed my hair twice a week with very mild shampoo..

Try not to worry too much..tge standard treatment whilst grueling and hard on our pelvic area.. lucky didn't impact my hair on my head xx

Stay strong and be kind to yourself 

X

Thank you, it’s coming out a bit when I comb so I’m trying not to do that unless necessary. And minimal washing. No drying but definitely I see strands. Hopefully I won’t lose it all. Did you mostly notice a few strands?