Advice for managing a challenging side effect
- Chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer commonly includes the two drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel (brand name Taxol).
- If your chemo regimen includes paclitaxel, it’s more than likely your hair will fall out.
- Cold caps and scalp cooling systems can help women keep some, or quite a bit, of their hair.
- Wigs are also an option and are typically covered by insurance.
"Some people think of it as, ‘Well it's just hair loss, it's alright, you know it'll come back.’ But it can be very emotionally challenging for a lot of women," says Manojkumar Bupathi, medical oncologist with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers. "[But] even saying that is an understatement, because it really changes your physical appearance. Plus it's like a daily reminder that you're going through something [challenging].”
Read MoreSome women choose to cut their hair very short or even shave their head before their hair starts falling out. "Some women choose to do this, and it's a very reasonable approach," says Dr. Bupathi.
Cover It
If you're thinking about buying a wig, consider buying it before your treatment starts, or soon after. Cancer.org suggests asking if the wig can be adjusted as you might need a smaller size as you lose hair. To match your hair color, they recommend cutting a swatch from the top front of your head, where your hair is lightest.
Wigs and other scalp coverings may be partially or fully covered by your health insurance. If so, make sure the prescription says "cranial prosthesis." (Don't use the word wig.) Someone on your cancer care team can likely recommend wig shops in your area.
Cool It
Cold caps and scalp cooling systems may help some women keep some or quite a bit of their hair during chemotherapy, says Dr. Bupathi. The caps, which are tightly fitting and strap on helmet-style, are filled with a gel coolant that's chilled to between -15 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. They work by narrowing the blood vessels beneath the skin of the scalp, reducing the amount of chemotherapy medicine that reaches the hair follicles, which can make the hair less likely to fall out.
The cold also decreases the activity of the hair follicles, which slows down cell division and makes the follicles less affected by the chemotherapy medicine. "We use this device called Paxman," says Dr. Bupathi, "and there are other devices like that." Keep in mind, though, that it does take commitment to tolerate the cold. Some women find the caps give them a headache. And they can make you really chilled, so if you want to tough it out, dress warmly and bring blankets.
Own It
While hair loss can be very upsetting, many patients choose to lean into the experience, with an attitude of, I'm up for the fight and this is my battle scar.
Being aware of the timing can help women cope, says Dr. Bupathi. Hair loss typically begins about three to four weeks after starting chemotherapy, and continues throughout treatment. Woman can expect regrowth around four to six weeks after they complete treatment. Some people may experience changes to their hair color and texture when the hair begins growing back.
And even if it’s hard in the moment, it does help to remember that the hair loss associated with chemo is temporary. It will grow back after your treatment ends.
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