Will my hair fall out during treatment?

Unfortunately hair loss can be one of the socially obvious and emotionally upsetting aspects of chemotherapy. While some advances have been made, preventing and predicting whether or not you will lose your hair during chemotherapy is unique to each individual. We strongly recommend you talk with your nurse about your specific treatment.

Generally speaking, chemotherapy stops the growth of cancer cells and other actively dividing cycling cells in the body by preventing them from growing or multiplying. Unfortunately, when cancer cells are destroyed other healthy cells are harmed, especially cells of the hair, causing hair loss.

The good news is hair growth does return, usually about 6 to 8 weeks after chemotherapy treatment ends. Your new hair may have a different color or texture; for example, if you had straight, thin hair you may now have a head full of thicker curls.  However, the re-growth may not make the hair loss any easier to accept. One may also lose eyelashes and eyebrows.

Preparing for hair loss can be helpful in alleviating some of the emotions that may occur.

• Purchasing a wig before you begin treatment can help you to match your natural hair color before loss begins. Or, pick a new color! If you have ever wanted to try a different hair color or style, now may be the time.
• Cutting your hair short before beginning chemotherapy can also make your hair loss less devastating. If you do experience hair loss you are more likely to lose it in clumps rather than evenly.
• Finally, experimenting with different fashion accessories such as hats, scarves and wraps may help you to feel “more put together.” Friends and family may even host a head covering party for you!

Hair loss, especially in addition to other side effects of surgery and chemotherapy/radiation, can feel overwhelming. The best advice we can give is be patient and know that this too shall pass. Make a list of things that make you feel good about yourself and put it on the fridge. On those days when you need a pick-me-up, pull down the list and be as tender with yourself as you would your dearest friend. Grab a hat, wig, scarf or nothing at all and get out there!

There's never been a better time to quit smoking

It may seem obvious, but it’s worth saying again. Tobacco use causes cancer. However, some may feel that once they have received a diagnosis of cancer they have already “missed the boat” when it comes to quitting. These people couldn’t be more wrong!

 A diagnosis of cancer may be the perfect time to commit to quitting smoking.

 A study at the London Regional Cancer Center, Ontario, Canada followed 215 patients receiving chemotherapy for small-cell lung cancer. Of the 215 patients, 186 provided their smoking status. 79 patients continued to smoke during chemotherapy and 107 quit smoking during chemotherapy. The study followed the patients for a period of ten years after chemotherapy and proved what most people already suspected … continuing to smoke decreases your chances of survival. On average, those who quit smoking lived longer.

View the full study >>

Taking this study out of the context of lung cancer I think it’s applicable to all cancer diagnoses.

According to the National Cancer Institute, of the 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, 250 are known to be harmful including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide and ammonia. Of these 250 chemicals more than 50 have been found to cause cancer. Spit tobacco isn’t any better, containing more than 28 cancer-causing agents.

As a patient undergoing treatment for cancer it’s also important to understand the risks of secondhand smoke … approximately 3,000 lunch cancer deaths occur each year among adult nonsmokers in the United States as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke.

There’s no way around it. Tobacco is dangerous. Regardless of who you are, I recommend quitting. If you or someone you know is living with a diagnosis of cancer, quit now. It’s never to late to stop.

Who is a cancer survivor? What's in a name?

The National Cancer Institute, along with many other health organizations, define a Cancer Survivor as anyone diagnosed with cancer – from the moment of diagnosis until the end of life (and that end could happen years after diagnosis and be caused by something besides cancer). In addition, The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) has expanded the term to include family, friends and caregivers.

Survivorship is a popular term now in the cancer community. Yellow bracelets scream LIVESTRONG, event participants refresh at Survivors’ Villages at Susan G. Komen races, and there are even medical journals focused solely on survivorship issues.

Twelve million Americans alive today have been diagnosed with cancer, and those numbers are increasing each year due to:

• Earlier diagnosis through screening
• More effective treatment
• Prevention of secondary disease and disease recurrence
• Decreases in mortality from other causes

There are many definitions of the word survivor, including:

• One who lives through an affliction
• To carry on despite hardships or trauma
• To remain alive or in existence

It turns out that the term cancer survivor evokes a wide range of reactions, similar to the reactions towards battle and war metaphors (i.e., fighting cancer or battling the disease) when describing cancer. How can one label describe everyone diagnosed with cancer, from those with early stage disease who are treated and may be considered cured to those in hospice care at the last stages of life? Some argue it cannot and that we need to find better, more descriptive and accurate terms. Others embrace the title of survivor and fully identify with it.

My feeling is that you can welcome or reject the label. As someone who has worked with cancer patients and their families for 30 years, I am just thrilled that researchers, clinicians and finding agencies are FINALLY paying attention to all the challenges that accompany a diagnosis of and treatment for cancer.

What are your thoughts? How do you feel about the term "cancer survivor?" 

Our first blog post

We're doing it! Providence Regional Cancer System is entering the world of social media and we couldn't be more excited!

As the premier cancer system in Southwest Washington we are continually striving to provide the best patient care possible. For a lot of our patients (and their support people) we think that means creating a place where you can interact with us from the comfort of your home.  

We hope you'll share openly with us (we promise to do the same) and use this space as a place of healing, recovery and growth.

Please do take a look at our social media policy and understand that we cannot give personal medical advice over the internet. What we can do is provide you with information from our subject matter experts. We'll do our best to answer your questions but again, there is no substitute for talking with your nurse or doctor.

Thanks for visiting and happy blogging!