Hair Loss: Emotions of Cancer Survivors - Part 1

Healing in Pink

By Dr. Cathy Chapman

“When you lose your hair … your femininity has been questioned … “  – anonymous breast cancer survivor

“Hair brings one’s self-image into focus; it is vanity’s proving ground. Hair is terribly personal, a tangle of mysterious prejudices.”—Shana Alexander, journalist, died of cancer at age79

Witnessing friends’ fight for life after hearing the words, “You have cancer,” has been one of the most painful and most precious experiences of my life. The reality of their journey hit home when their hair began to go little by little, or almost all at once.

One displayed the humor she would use to counteract her fear, “Yesterday I was washing my hair in the sink when, suddenly, there was a squirrel laying there.”

Still another put her priorities in order, “If this is all I lose while I keep my life, I’m fine.”

Other than a facial disfigurement, few events change your appearance, and your self-image, than a dramatic change in your hair. When the change is by choice, giving the look she wanted, a woman is thrilled. A bad hair day or a bad hair cut can cause an emotional tidal wave.

If only that is all she had to worry about now.

What if you don’t know when your hair will grow out, or if it will? What will it look like? Will it be a different color, different texture, even new curls … or very little hair at all.

Add the drastic measures to live, with the nausea and loss of energy, hair loss is one more assault pounding in the truth that life has changed, perhaps forever. Hair, “a woman’s crowning glory,” is gone. In addition to the cancer raging in her body, and for many the loss of one or both breasts, the loss of hair is the crowning blow.

Cancer support groups are crucial to providing care and information from those who know - - cancer survivors and health care professionals experienced in the emotional minefield of cancer treatment. The American Cancer Society ( http://www.cancer.org ) has a wealth of information and support materials on its WEB site.

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