How loss of hair is associated with a cancer identity

What is it about?

This article arose from my PhD research where I interviewed 24 women who had been treated for early breast cancer. Although I expected to hear about experiences of hair loss from women who had been through chemotherapy treatments, what was surprising was the way it was discussed by the participants who did not have chemotherapy and consequently did not lose their hair. It seems that hair loss is so heavily associated with cancer treatment that women who kept their hair reported that they sometimes felt that people did not believe them, and sometimes they missed out on practical and social support as a result.

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Why is it important?

Hair is important to identity, therefore there are implications for social interactions whether women undergoing chemotherapy decide to disguise their hair loss or not. There may also be negative implications for women who do not lose their hair because they fail to conform to the stereotypical appearance of the bald cancer patient. It is important that women undergoing breast cancer treatment get sufficient information and support to prepare them for the impact on their self-perception and social interactions when facing hair loss. Also, patients who do not lose their hair should be forewarned about the possible implications of not conforming to the cancer stereotype. In addition, greater education amongst the wider population about possible side-effects of cancer treatments may prevent women feeling stigmatized whilst already undergoing a stressful experience.

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