Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : October 31, 2017 11:59 AM IST
hair loss
We all know that leaky breasts or a lump in the breast are a sign of breast cancer. But one common question that most people have is -- can breast cancer also lead to hair loss? We asked Dr Pawan Gupta, Additional Director, Surgical Oncology, Jaypee Hospital, Noida about the same and here is what he has to say about hair loss and breast cancer.
If you thought that hair loss is a symptom of breast cancer, you are wrong. Breast cancer does not cause hair loss. Moreover, the severity of hair loss is independent of the stage of the cancer and the type of breast cancer. In the case of cancer, as the cell divides continuously, there is a less chance of hair loss. However, if you suffer from breast cancer and are undergoing chemotherapy, then there are high chances that you can lose hair because of the medications. Also, the severity of hair loss is high, if the dose of drugs is high. Hence, hair loss in the case of breast cancer is mainly because of the treatment process -- chemotherapy and radiation and not a symptom of the cancer. Here's more on what to expect after your breast cancer treatment.
Can hair loss during chemotherapy be prevented?
So if you are aware of this side effect of chemotherapy, you can take preventive measures to lower the risk of hair loss during the treatment. Although there a lot of ways to prevent hair loss, most of these techniques are ineffective when it comes to preventing chemotherapy-related hair loss. In some cases, experts recommend a cold hair cap during the chemotherapy session. Putting this hair cap is known to lower the chances of hair loss. This technique has shown results in 20% of the cases, reveals Dr Pawan Gupta.
Also, chemotherapy can lead to nutritional deficiency due to lack of appetite, which in turn can put you at risk of hair loss. Hence, ensuring the right amount of minerals and vitamins in diet during the treatment session can help you to tolerate the chemotherapy effect and prevent hair loss to a great extent. Read to know what is chemotherapy and what are the side effects of the treatment?
Image Source: Shutterstock
