We all know how distressing it is for cancer patients when they start losing their hair due to chemotheraphy. What is it about chemotheraphy that causes hair loss exactly?

Why does it happen?
Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications that attack rapidly growing cancer cells in your body. Unfortunately, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells, including the healthy ones in your hair roots.

Chemotherapy affects all cells in the body especially the lining of the mouth, stomach, and the hair follicles.
This is because those cells multiply rapidly just like the cancer cells.

The good thing is that your healthy cells will repair itself, so your hair will most likely grow back after chemotherapy treatment is stopped.

What should I expect?

Your hair loss may be gradual or or dramatic. Some people will see their hair in clumps on brushes, shower drains and pillows. Some drugs only affect the hair on your head. Some will affect hair in all places such as eyebrows and eyelashes, pubic hair, and hair on your legs, arms, or underarms. This really depends on what the drug is and its dosage.

Generally, you can lose about 50% of your hair before people will start to notice.

Can it be prevented?

Unfortunately, there is no prevention or medication to combat hair loss during chemotherapy treatment. Some people will try to take Rogaine during this period, but that has not been known to work. The upside is that it takes 4 - 6 weeks for your hair to recover from chemotherapy.

How do I cope with hair loss?

During this period of time, you may feel very depressed or embarrassed. It is only natural to feel that way during this traumatic period so you will need a lot of support. You can also try:

  • purchasing a wig
  • cutting your hair short
  • wearing scarves/hats on your head

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