Does all chemo drugs cause hair loss?

laurissa
laurissa Member Posts: 773
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My surgeon who did my port today said I'll be on chemo with little side effects. He's not for sure which ones, Oncologist will tell me Wed. Are there some that don't cause hair loss?

Comments

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    I'm not sure .. but from I know, read and researched
    96% of all breast cancer patients lose their hair. Some of the lucky ones - have eyebrows and eyelashes during chemo. Regardless of a 12 week cycle or 28 week cycle.

    However, our fabulous sisters in Pink .. will weigh in on this subject .. Perhaps the more experienced Diva's can answer this question for you.

    Interesting ....


    VickiSam
  • Fran1947
    Fran1947 Member Posts: 72
    Hair Loss
    The most common breast cancer cocktails contain Adriamycin, Cytoxan and/or Taxotere. Adriamycin & Taxotere both cause hair loss - Cytoxan can, but doesn't necessarily. Losing your hair can be very scary - hopefully sharing in this group can help you through it.

    Hugs,

    Fran
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    Not ALL chemo drugs...
    Cause hair loss. There are many, many types of chemo drugs - some used for diseases other than cancer, too.

    However, amongst those used to combat breast cancer, specifically - hair loss is most likely to occur, unfortunately.

    Hope all goes well with your med onc appointment tomorrow. Keep us posted.
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member

    Not ALL chemo drugs...
    Cause hair loss. There are many, many types of chemo drugs - some used for diseases other than cancer, too.

    However, amongst those used to combat breast cancer, specifically - hair loss is most likely to occur, unfortunately.

    Hope all goes well with your med onc appointment tomorrow. Keep us posted.

    hair
    I was on 12 weekly treatments of taxol/herceptin and my oncologist told me that I would "probably not lose all of my hair" ... but the it "would thin." Well ... by "thin" ... I imagined a few hairs here and a few hairs there ... but what really happened was a HUNK here and and HUNK there. I didn't waste any time ... and called a friend and told her to get her clippers out that I was on my way over for her to shave my head... and I'm glad I did. I'm sure I would have eventually lost most or all of my hair and I didn't want to wait around for it to happen. I read someone's post many months ago about when her hair started to come out ... and her husband made some comment about it while she was fixing dinner in the kitchen and she had hair flying all over the place. I just kept that picture in my mind ... that I didn't want to wait until I was leaving a trail of hair ... so I took charge and had it all shaved off.

    hugs.
    teena
  • meena1
    meena1 Member Posts: 1,003
    tgf said:

    hair
    I was on 12 weekly treatments of taxol/herceptin and my oncologist told me that I would "probably not lose all of my hair" ... but the it "would thin." Well ... by "thin" ... I imagined a few hairs here and a few hairs there ... but what really happened was a HUNK here and and HUNK there. I didn't waste any time ... and called a friend and told her to get her clippers out that I was on my way over for her to shave my head... and I'm glad I did. I'm sure I would have eventually lost most or all of my hair and I didn't want to wait around for it to happen. I read someone's post many months ago about when her hair started to come out ... and her husband made some comment about it while she was fixing dinner in the kitchen and she had hair flying all over the place. I just kept that picture in my mind ... that I didn't want to wait until I was leaving a trail of hair ... so I took charge and had it all shaved off.

    hugs.
    teena

    YES

    YES
  • ppurdin
    ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181
    hair loss
    I don,t know if all of them do but the two i am on is a pretty sure thing for hair loss.I had my first chemo 8 days ago.I was told by my Dr. that by the next Chemo treatment I would have lost my hair.I have cryed many of tears about it.Now every day I keep checking for lose hair.It scares me to death.I will need you brave ladys that have been through it when it happens,which should be any day now.I hope when it happens I will be brave enough to get it shaved.They say it is best two.This has been one of the hardest things for me,I have wigs ,hats and scarfs ready.I have never been one to wear any of these.I hope I can get them to look right on me.Good luck to you and God bless you.(Pat).
  • Fran1947
    Fran1947 Member Posts: 72
    ppurdin said:

    hair loss
    I don,t know if all of them do but the two i am on is a pretty sure thing for hair loss.I had my first chemo 8 days ago.I was told by my Dr. that by the next Chemo treatment I would have lost my hair.I have cryed many of tears about it.Now every day I keep checking for lose hair.It scares me to death.I will need you brave ladys that have been through it when it happens,which should be any day now.I hope when it happens I will be brave enough to get it shaved.They say it is best two.This has been one of the hardest things for me,I have wigs ,hats and scarfs ready.I have never been one to wear any of these.I hope I can get them to look right on me.Good luck to you and God bless you.(Pat).

    Hair
    Hi Pat - it really is scary, but it is amazing how we can rise above when we have to. When my hair started to come out I went outside several times a day and ran my fingers through it - releasing it into the wind for birds, etc to use in their nests. Eventually my scalp was sore enough that I let my husband shave my head (with clippers). Giving up our hair is such a public display of a private matter. This is an amazing group of women here - I know they will do everything they can to help you deal.

    Hugs,

    Fran
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    ppurdin said:

    hair loss
    I don,t know if all of them do but the two i am on is a pretty sure thing for hair loss.I had my first chemo 8 days ago.I was told by my Dr. that by the next Chemo treatment I would have lost my hair.I have cryed many of tears about it.Now every day I keep checking for lose hair.It scares me to death.I will need you brave ladys that have been through it when it happens,which should be any day now.I hope when it happens I will be brave enough to get it shaved.They say it is best two.This has been one of the hardest things for me,I have wigs ,hats and scarfs ready.I have never been one to wear any of these.I hope I can get them to look right on me.Good luck to you and God bless you.(Pat).

    I am not far behind you Girl!
    I meet with my surgeon tomorrow (had a modified radical masectomy a week ago tomorrow) I meet with the Oncologist and the Radiologist on the 13th. Chemo is first for me and then radiation...I have heard from many people that yes, you will lose your hair pretty much after your 1st treatment. I am also scared...I have not went wig shopping yet but plan on it real soon. Do you mind if I add you as my friend so we can compare notes?
  • JmG86
    JmG86 Member Posts: 53
    I started my first round of
    I started my first round of chemo in May of '08 - taxol - and I think I lost my hair within a few weeks. It was also supposed to "thin", but it was coming out at amazing speed! I had long hair since I was a little girl, but I shaved my head bald when it started falling out, it was freaking me out so much. I was upset when I first lost my hair, but I was prepared. I had a wig for work, and scarves & hats for play. So when it happens make sure you are ready!That's a big thing - be prepared! The bright side? Wait til you see how little shampoo you use, how quickly you are out of the shower(because I didn't have ANY hair to deal with!), how quickly you can get ready for work or whatever when all you are doing is putting on a wig (or a hat or scarf).And you have less makeup to put on due to no eyelashes...I found most people understood and were very sensitive and sympathetic to the situation. And now when I think about the women who have lost their hair in their valiant fight...it's a badge of honor.
  • ppurdin
    ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181

    I am not far behind you Girl!
    I meet with my surgeon tomorrow (had a modified radical masectomy a week ago tomorrow) I meet with the Oncologist and the Radiologist on the 13th. Chemo is first for me and then radiation...I have heard from many people that yes, you will lose your hair pretty much after your 1st treatment. I am also scared...I have not went wig shopping yet but plan on it real soon. Do you mind if I add you as my friend so we can compare notes?

    hair loss.
    Hi that would be great.We will get through this together.thanks again and God Bless.(Pat).