Ellen Campbell -Grizzle - PHARMACY TODAYSOME DRUGS used to treat cancer cause hair loss. This condition is called alopecia and happens because hair follicles grow fast and cancer-killing (cytotoxic) drugs destroy fast-growing cells. This type of hair loss is not usually permanent and hair will grow back once treatment has ended. Despite this assurance, many women are disturbed by the dramatic hair loss from the head, eyebrows, arms and pubic areas. Some persons choose to wear wigs in the interim.
Hair loss may start just after chemotherapy to within a few weeks afterwards. Here are some practical tips that will help:
Cut your hair short before undergoing treatment.
Avoid using harsh chemicals and shampoos on your hair as these may cause dry and itchy scalp.
If your scalp becomes too dry, massage gently with a light moisturiser.
Use a soft hairbrush to prevent scalp irritation.
Do not perm your hair for at least six months after chemotherapy.
Use cotton pillowcases and avoid nylon ones.
Let your hair dry naturally as hairdryers and rollers can cause further damage.
Do not sleep in rollers.
If you have lost underarm hair, do not use deodorants but try unscented talcum powder instead.
COLD CAP
Not all cytotoxics cause hair loss. Furthermore, each patient reacts differently to a drug. Should you choose to wear a wig, ensure that the underside of the wig does not irritate the scalp. You may find it useful to wear a thin cotton scarf or skullcap under the wig.
There is now debate about the use of a cold cap to prevent as much of the chemotherapy drug getting into the scalp as possible. The system appears to work better for some drugs and some clinical trials have shown success rates of up to 85 per cent. Cooling the scalp to a specified temperature constricts blood flow to hair follicles and prevents the cancer killing drugs from reaching the hair follicles. The cold cap procedure may vary but essentially a cap is put on 15 minutes before chemotherapy and kept on up to two hours after. Some patients do complain of discomfort from the coldness.
Hair loss after radiotherapy at the site of treatment is also a concern. This is also a temporary condition but the speed and thickness of regrowth depends on the length and quantity of radiotherapy.
LEARN ABOUT THE MEDICINES
Hair loss after chemotherapy or radiotherapy is a cosmetic matter. However, this concern is a major one for persons who are receiving treatment for cancer and many are sensitive about their appearance. It is good to remember that not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss and that the associated risk for alopecia is known. After six months, the hair should grow back although colour and texture may be different.
If you are going to be treated with chemotherapy, learn about these medicines. Several cancer-killing drugs have other unwanted side effects. Arm yourself both mentally and physically to deal with unwanted side effects so that you can benefit from the life-saving properties of these drugs. If you want to know more about cytotoxics, ask your pharmacist, you have the right to know.
Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, president, Caribbean Association of Pharmacists; director, information and research, National Council on Drug Abuse.
