Cancer and cancer treatment can result in side effects on a person’s hair. Find out how common treatments may affect your hair and talk to your pharmacist or doctor for ways to find relief.
Chemotherapy
How it works:
Chemotherapy, or chemo, chemically kills cancer cells, but it may also harm healthy cells that grow quickly, such as hair.
Potential hair side effects:
About 65% of patients undergoing certain types of chemotherapy will experience hair loss, but the degree to which someone loses it can depend on the type of chemotherapy and other treatments. This usually results in hair thinning or falling out.
Radiation
How it works:
High-powered x-rays or particles aimed at the tumor from outside the body kill cancer cells, but can also affect healthy hair cells in that area.
Potential hair side effects:
Hair loss can occur in the area where the radiation is aimed. Hair usually grows back after radiation but may be thinner or a different texture.
Talk to your doctor before your treatment starts to find out if and what type of hair loss you should expect.
Sources:
- ASCO. Hair Loss or Alopecia. Available at https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/side-effects/hair-loss-or-alopecia. Accessed on February 17, 2018.
- American Cancer Society. Hair Loss. Available at https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/hair-loss.html. Accessed on February 15, 2018.
