Coping with hair loss

Kaza 2 days ago

5 replies
112 subscribers
154 views

Hi, I had a tumour in my colon that was successfully removed and I got the all clear and wait for 3 months. Unfortunately after the 3 months the MRI showed the cancer had spread to my liver and I have quite a few lesions. Fast forward to now. I finished my second chemotherapy session last Wednesday and on Friday I noticed that my hair was coming out. I was told it could thin or I may lose it all together. It's only a few hairs at a time but continual during the day, so I don't know if I'm thinning or if this is the start of full hair loss. If you lost or had hair thinning, how did it start for you? I have long hair and I'm trying to decide whether to have it cut short or wait it out. I'm also worried that the next session, which is next Monday will speed the process up. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. I'm feeling sad at the moment.

CerysM 2 days ago

Hi Kaza ,

I just had thinning, it started coming out and then came out a bit faster (felt like loads), what it actually looked like in reality was that I had a wide parting. My hairdresser said she's seen wider on people not on chemo.

Most of my hair remained, but I did get myself some head scarfs in case it went completely.

I don't know if that helps at all?

CerysM

Kaza 2 days ago in reply to CerysM

Thank you CerysM. Yes this really helps. It feels like loads to me too. It's great to know I'm not alone. That's why I love this forum. I can't see a difference yet but I'm sure I will. I always wear baseball caps so have bought a few extra but scarfs are in the back of my mind for a different look.

Babotie 2 days ago

Hi Kaza,

Hair loss is tough. I'm not sure what chemo you on - when I had Folfox for 6 months my hair thinnned quite a lot. It was a gradual thinning, and started after the first few cycles. I found it upsetting seeing hair on my pillow sometimes. But, I never lost it all, and actually while it was thin, it was still fit for public viewing ;-) As I understand it most colon cancer chemo is not as hectic on hair as other types of chemo - thinning does happen with colon cancer chemo but complete hair loss is not that common, unlike for example breast cancer chemo where most ladies either end up bald or with substantial hair loss.

In terms of cutting....my hair is sort of 5cm below my clavicle (not super long, but longish). I cut my hair before chemo - to shoulder length simply because it tangles less when shorter, and I wanted to do less brushing. No idea if it made any difference. I didn't consider cutting it short - I'm pretty stubborn, was not going to give up my hair to cancer until I absolutely had to! :-) Thankfully it never came to that. My fingers are crossed for you. x

Kaza 2 days ago in reply to Babotie

Hi Babotie. Thanks for telling me this. It really does help. I'm also on Folfox. I'm having another drug added next week, bevacizumab. I had been too frightened to see if that did anything to my hair until now. I've just checked and it looks like it doesn't. My hair is currently about 6 inches below my shoulder and like you I'm stubborn about getting it cut. Especially as my husbands hair is slightly longer than mine. I don't really want to give in first. Hopefully the hair loss will only be minimal. I only have 2 more sessions to go before my review.

Babotie 2 days ago in reply to Kaza

That chimes with what my Oncologist said about bevacizumab, hair loss not a side effect. (At one point they considered it for me, but I couldn't have it due to other medical issues). Just to add, a chemo nurse advised me to try wash my hair less, which I did. I used dry shampoo (I found the brand Batiste - at Boots/Amazon etc worked well) in between. Good luck for the next sessions, really hope its minimal loss.