Tom Parker Accepts His Cancer-Related Hair Loss
- ‘The Wanted’ singer, Tom Parker, 32, is currently fighting stage four brain cancer and coping with the side effects of his treatment, which include hair loss that made him feel “embarrassed” at first.
- Parker is one of many people who lose their hair during cancer treatment; hair loss can be mitigated with the use of “cold caps” or “cooling hats.”
- Coping with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment effects can be helped by joining support groups or speaking with a therapist.
View this post on InstagramRead MoreParker said treatment took a toll on him, and led to his hair falling out. “When I started treatment my hair started to fall out, so after a morning at the hospital I came home and told @being_kelsey to shave my head. I remember this so vividly, I felt like part of me was being taken away as I saw the hair drop to the floor. There were tears…”Parker’s bravery, though, is inspiring. Despite the loss, he found ways to cope: wearing hats, and later, embracing his appearance, after being “embarrassed” by it prior. He felt that his bald head was “like I was wearing a badge of baldness that shouted ‘I HAVE CANCER.'” The singer triumphantly shared he accepted his new look and wears it with pride.
Cancer Treatment & Hair Loss
Many people experience some side effects from chemotherapy, which may include hair loss. Dr. Renata Urban, a Gynecologic Oncologist at the University of Washington, discussed in a previous interview the options for people who, like Parker, lose their hair from cancer treatment. “Some patients may lose all of their hair, and some patients may not. However, because the majority of patients will lose all their hair– and this has understandable implications for oftentimes just how a patient can feel about themselves and their visibility– one potential option is something called ‘cryotherapy,'” she said.
“That is a very fancy way for saying ‘cold therapy,'” said Dr. Urban. “What that means for this particular side effect is the use of what are called ‘cold caps’ or ‘cooling hats.’ The mechanism of this is that with the cold it can cause vasoconstriction or narrowing of the blood vessels bringing blood to the scalp. And this has been shown to reduce hair loss by 50%. I do try to let patients know it’s not a 100% prevention strategy, and it’s not been studied in all hair types. But it is at least an available strategy for patients to try.”
Dealing With Hair Loss During Chemotherapy
Coping with Cancer Treatments Effects
For people like Parker who are going through cancer treatment, it can take a toll on your mental health and self-esteem. Many people going through the cancer journey find helpful support from formal resources such as therapy and support groups for people with cancer.
Related: The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients
Camila Legaspi turned to therapy after losing her mom to breast cancer in high school. In a previous interview, she said, “Therapy saved my life. I was dealing with some really intense anxiety and depression at that point. It just changed my life, because I was so drained by all the negativity that was going on. Going to a therapist helped me realize that there was still so much out there for me, that I still had my family, that I still had my siblings. The reality is, is when you lose someone, it’s really, really, really hard.”
“And it’s totally OK to talk to someone. And I’m so happy that I talked to my therapist. Keep your chin up, and it’s going to be OK. No matter what happens, it’s going to be OK. There are so many of us that have gone through the same thing that you’re going through. And, together, we’re all going to get through it.”
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