Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is more traumatic for some women with breast cancer than the loss of a breast or the treatment itself, according to a new University College Cork (UCC) study.
A lecturer in nursing at UCC, Sinead Power, found that many of the women she surveyed felt psychologically lower after losing their hair than when going through the chemotherapy treatment.
"The findings, both of the literature in this area and some of the women I spoke to, was that while they felt they could hide the loss of a breast, they could not hide the loss of their hair so easily," she said.
The aim of Ms Power's study was to explore the lived experience of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (hair loss) for women with breast cancer. She was working as an oncology nurse at Cork University Hospital (CUH) when she carried out the study.
Almost half of all women with breast cancer in Ireland undergo alopecia-inducing chemotherapy, according to figures from the National Cancer Registry in 2003 and breast cancer accounts for 9 per cent of all cancers in the State.
Many women spoke of the threat to their body image caused by their hair loss and their need to protect loved ones and be strong for their children, according to the CUH study.
"The social significance of hair for women must be acknowledged. "Only then, can healthcare professionals address the issue of alopecia in a sensitive manner," according to Ms Power.
"Better information is needed for patients on how to address the issue of alopecia with close family members, especially children."
She also highlighted the need to make patients aware of the benefits of formal and informal support systems to help them to develop better mechanisms of coping with chemotherapy- induced alopecia.
Programmes such as the Look Good, Feel Better programme should be made readily available to patients in an effort to boost confidence and self-esteem, she said.
Ms Power also recommended that healthcare professionals visit wig suppliers to ensure a high standard of service is provided.
The loss of hair other than scalp hair, eg eyebrows, must also be addressed with the patient if they are to be adequately prepared for the loss.
"Hair is a significant indicator of femininity and attractiveness. It is an important aspect of one's outward appearance," according to Ms Power.
"Alopecia poses a serious threat to one's body image. The need to protect family members, especially children, from possible trauma associated with hair loss is evident," she said.
Many of the women spoke of their feelings of awkwardness and self-consciousness when wearing a wig in public.
