Chemotherapy & hair loss

[PinkTissue]

Is there any type of drugs used in chemotherapy that does not involves losing of hair?

I am getting prepared to hear the 'verdict' on Wednesday to my mother's diagnosis of ovarian cancer. I am worried that my mum may refuse chemotherapy if she losses her hair (even though it is temporary). I have recently heard that for breast cancer there is is new type of drug whose side-effects is not hair loss. I am wondering whether there are any similar drugs for ovarian cancer.

[PinkTissue]

Helen - you are a strong lady to be going through this by yourself. Hugs and kisses from me. My sister and I quite alone here. Our close relatives are in another country. I may ask my aunt to stay with us for a period of time. We are exploring a lot of other options - like engaging a maid but  my mum doesn't like a stranger living with us or asking my sister to take no pay leave - since I am earning more. But....it is a bit premature, we are still waiting for the BIG day for the final verdict. I am a spoilt girl, not knowing how to do housework. However, as of yesterday, I learnt how to wash clothes and from now on, I am taking on the household chores performed my mother. As for cooking - I would have to learn fast - the proper way of cooking and not microwave food.

[Helmar]

Hello again...I guess you would just need to be alert as to how you are with your own health. If you have a cold/flu/virus of any type, then you would need to be very careful when your Mum's immune system is low... and that is about 7-10 days after infusion, when the immunes are at their lowest.  I guess if you were really phobic about it, you could always wear a little mask so that if you did have a cold, you wouldn't pass it onto your Mum. Could you put a separate bed into your Mum's room so that you're not so close to her... like a folding-up bed? You would still ber there for her, but not so near to her. I live on my own, and don't have anyone to be here with me, so you're Mum is lucky to have your company. I hope  your Mum does well with the treatments... best wishes..Helen...

[PinkTissue]

Thanks - I am going to talk my mum into accepting treatment if the 'verdict' is cancer. With the CA-125 score of 195 and the CT scans - I am afraid the chances that the biopsy say that it is non-cancerous is pretty slim. I knew how to decipher CT scan after my father was diagnozed with cancer so my heart sank when I saw those irregular-like growth in my mum's CT scan.

My sister's friend's mum refused to go for treatment for breast cancer because of the prospect of hair loss. They found this hormone treatment which would not induce hair loss.....but have other side-effects like loss of memory, mood swings etc.

One more thing - if my mum undergoes treatment, would it be ok to sleep with her on the same bed? I have been sleeping with her since my father passed away because I want to keep an eye on her. But I am afraid that if after treatment, my mother's immune system would be weakened and I may pass her on....bactieria. But I would be extremely worried if no one is with her at night.

[crecco]

As hard as it is, first line treatment for ov ca causes hair loss. (If they go ahead with the carbo/taxol) It doesn't seem fair that on top of cancer we have to go through something so traumatic as losing our hair. But you do get used to it after awhile. I know it does seem vain and a small price to pay for life, but it is still hard. Surely your mom won't refuse chemo because of this small inconvenience, because it does grow back. I know that at the time it doesn't help a whole lot to hear this, as a matter of fact I heard it so much I just wanted to scream at somebody and tell them "thats easy for you to say, you still have your hair" But AI now know that eventually it is going to happen again and I am just thankful that I am still here for it to happen. My best wishes to you and your mom, Chris

[Jan214]

I have always had long hair and I cried and cried over the prospect of losing my hair.  When it started coming out in huge clumps in the shower I was inconsolable.  That is the reality of that.  It is a very hard emotional experience that you get over quickly.  I cried more at the anticipation of the loss than the loss.  Now it is so easy to get dressed and everyone at church can't wait to see what hat I show up in.  There are some advantages to having no hair.  You don't spend money on shampoo, conditioner, hairstylists or electricity for the hair dryer/curler.  You don't have to shave or spend money on razors.  It takes almost no time at all to get dressed. It actually felt really weird when I had to start washing my hair again.
I wouldn't worry about your mom refusing chemo.  I haven't met anyone yet who decided to forgo chemo because of the hair loss.  I guess it is her choice but I can't see anyone chosing the alternative to hair loss.  
I am on my first recurence and I am taking Gemzar which does not cause hair loss, but I can't see any onc giving it as first time treatment.  
Good luck to your family
Jan

[Helmar]

Hair loss takes a back seat when we are staring down the barrel. I've not seen my natural hair for over 3 years, and wearing my wig comes natural to me now, but at least I'm still here. That's more important to me. To be candid... I would rather be bald than dead. Simple as that, and I'll take any  sort of chemo that will give me time.... and I've had most of them now. I have a really nice wig... even my friends don't know it's not my hair, and I'm very comfortable with that. Strange at first, but one gets accustomed to it. Anyhow, if your Mum goes into remission, her hair will grow again and could come back even better. I wish you Mum all the best...hugs...Helen...

[rmarie]

Things you think are important to you are not so much, when you are in a fight for your life.  The drugs used in first line therapy for OVCA are carboplatin and taxol  With taxol you do lose your hair, it starts to fall out about two weeks after the first treatment.  You mom has been doing well with dealing with this so far, she will probably get a good wig and go through the treatment.  Me I hated the wig, so I wore a turban hat and had great scarfs.  Hang in there be there with support and love for your mom, she will make the best decision for herself, she is doing great so far.

[vegas2cr]

I had gorgeous natural red hair. After chemo and no hair I now have blackish greyish curly something, but I don't care I am AAAAAAALIVE.  Trouble would be not seeing my family and friends... I am very vain but my hair no longer matters...I will gladly do chemo again and lose it again when necessary..

[SimplyStar]

My daughter lost her long beautiful Blonde hair, which had always been her pride and joy,  She wanted to LIVE, so that is what made her decision easier. It has grown back now and she looks great, with a different color, and curly. Actually she said losing her hair was the least painful of all the side affects, that was emotional, the rest were physical.  Leslee said when she looks around at the people she works with daily, adults with disabilities and she feels lucky. Most have lived their entire lives confined in a untreatable body, usually with no complaints, and she knows the doctors are working to heal her now.  Good Luck to your Mother.   Marty

[gah_70]

Each person is different in how they respond to chemo, but Ang is correct.  If she is given anything in the Taxane family, hair loss is likely.  I have heard of a few who don't, but those are rare.  I used to think it made me vain to dread that part, but as women, our hair is important to us.  It's not bad enough that you have to be diagnosed with cancer, but then you have to go and lose your hair too??  Not fair!  

But, we may be putting the cart before the horse.  Your mom hasn't been told for sure, yet.  If it does happen, I hope she reconsiders.  The thought of losing your hair is worse than actually losing it.  There are so many pretty wigs out there now, plus hats and scarves.  I love the fact it takes me 30 minutes to get ready in the mornings.....gotta find a silver lining somewhere!!  

Best wishes to you and your mother.  I hope she gets good news this week.

Gail  

[Ang80]

Carboplatin, is one you don't loose your hair with. Its normally given with taxol which can be a better drug in some women, but the side effects are hair loss.

My mum is on her second lot of chemo for a reoccurence. She lost her hair the first time 10 days after the first treatment and it didn't grow until several weeks had passed after her final treatment.