Cancer Treatment: Coping with Hair Loss | Health | iDiva.com

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You may not understand the importance of your hair until you start losing it. And if you are fighting cancer with treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the chances of losing hair become inevitable. Both men and women report hair loss as one of the side effects they fear most after being diagnosed with cancer. Hair loss in this case mostly depends on the type and dosage of medication one receives. Whether a person can maintain a ?natural? image after hair loss depends a lot on his/her attitude, the support of family and friends and the Trichologist ? the hair and scalp specialist.

This is where Rich Feel Trichology Centre steps in with its fight against hair loss due to cancer. The Centre started in 1986 with the aim of scientifically diagnosing and treating hair and scalp disorders, and over the years has successfully treated cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy, and helped in restoring their hair. Those suffering from cancer have always had a special place in the heart of Dr. Apoorva Shah, founder of Rich Feel Trichology Centre, because he lost his mother to cancer. Today, the centre has decided to share its valuable experience and resources in hair care with the community. The Mrs. Menaxiben Shah & Rekhaben Shah Memorial Trust, in association with India?s finest oncologist, Padmashri Dr. Suresh H. Advani and his NGO for cancer patients ? the Helping Hand ? do their bit for society. With Richfeel?s tremendous experience in scientifically treating hair and scalp problems, the centre pledges to enrich the lives of those suffering from cancer through its ?Look Good Feel Better? programme.

Dr. Apoorva Shah explains that hair loss associated with cancer is linked to the treatments the patient undergoes to fight the disease. The effects of chemotherapy and radiation differ.

A) Chemotherapy and hair loss
Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications that attack rapidly growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells in the body ? including those present in one?s hair roots. Hair fall usually begins 10 to 14 days after one starts treatment and continues throughout the treatment and up to a month later. It takes about four to six weeks for hair to recover from chemotherapy. In general, you can expect about a quarter inch of growth each month.

Fortunately, most of the time hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. You can expect hair to regrow completely from six months to a year after you stop treatment, though it may be of a different shade or texture temporarily. When hair begins to grow, it will probably be slightly different from that which is lost, but the difference is usually temporary.

Most cancer patients describe the process of losing hair as extremely traumatic and here?s where Rich Feel steps in. Dr. Apoorva Shah says, ?No process has been perfected to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. One process that is being investigated is scalp hypothermia (cryotherapy). During chemotherapy, ice packs or similar devices are placed on the head to slow down blood flow to the scalp. This way, chemotherapy drugs are less likely to have an effect on the scalp. However, at Rich Feel we recommend the use of External Tricho Active Applications which will aid the process of hair growth post-chemotherapy.?

As part of its ?Look Good Feel Better? programme, Richfeel is offering free External Tricho Active Application Treatment to patients who have undergone chemotherapy.

B) Radiation and Hair Loss
Dr. Sonal Shah, India?s first woman Trichologist says, ?Radiation therapy also attacks the quickly growing cells in your body, but unlike chemotherapy, it affects only the specific area where treatment is concentrated. If one has radiation to the head, one is likely to lose hair on the head.?

Richfeel is offering its Carefree Hair Solution to such patients, as the hair lost in Radiotherapy cannot be regained by external applications.

Mr. Rajesh, a patient of Radiotherapy shares his experience.

This treatment promises perfectly natural looking hair, without the pain of surgery or the embarrassment of using a wig or the prospect of taking drugs for life. This solution is made up of a thin transparent film known as Dermabase which is very light, strong and durable. It is also porous and ventilated which prevents infections. The hair is heat, water and chemical resistant and so the patient can perform his regular activities like swimming, taking a shower etc.

C) The Look Good Feel Better Initiative
However, most important is how one psychologically prepares for the trauma of losing hair and how one decides to deal with it. Keeping this in mind, Rich Feel is launching The Look Good Feel Better Initiative for men and women suffering from cancer to help prepare them to deal with the cosmetic fall-out of the disease. It plans to provide hair and beauty makeovers and tips. Plans are also on to offer classes for teens with cancer, as well as a website dealing with the subject. Most importantly, these groups will give those suffering from the disease a chance to meet and share their experiences.

In the words of Dr. Sonal Shah, ?Our spirit is what makes us magnificent, and that can never be taken away. Many cancer patients feel that with their hair, they lose their crowning glory, and for women especially their femininity and womanhood. That?s not the truth, and they have to remember that they are beautiful regardless of their appearances. But if we can help them look better and thus feel better about themselves, it?s a small part to play.?

* Cancer treatment can make one lose hair. Richfeel Trichology Centre ensures that one does not have to lose heart. The Mrs. Menaxiben Shah & Rekhaben Shah Memorial Trust. It's our way of showing we care.

Dr .Apoorva Shah is one of the world?s leading Trichologist and the pioneer of Trichology in India.? He is also the founder of Richfeel Trichology Centres.

For further enquiries, call: : 66778877/ 1800?266?7333 or Visit: www.richfeel.com

Source: http://idiva.com/opinion-health/cancer-treatment-coping-with-hair-loss/17842

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