Information about breast cancer
Your new hair after chemo
It is a major fear of many women treated with chemo for breast cancer: hair loss. Chemotherapy involves administering drugs that kill fast-dividing cells, such as cancer cells. Unfortunately, these products do not discriminate against other fast-digesting cells: the cells in our hair follicles.
Hair follicles are structures in the skin from which hairs grow. These cells divide every 23 to 72 hours. When you receive chemo, your hair can become thinner and you may lose your hair, both your head hair and body hair. Sometimes your eyelashes and eyebrows also fall out. How quickly this happens depends on the type of chemotherapy and your individual sensitivity. Your hairdresser will advise and assist you.
Usually, after chemotherapy, you get your hairstyle back the way it was before. Some women, who had their hair dyed for years, rediscover their natural hair color. Occasionally, the new hair has a different color and also feels different.
- 3 to 4 weeks after last chemotherapy: soft down
- After 1 to 1.5 months: the first real hairs
- After 2 to 3 months: 2 inches of hair! Demi Moore for her role in G.I. Jane
- After 3 to 6 months: snappy short head
- After 1 year: ample room for a stylish short haircut
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Pink Monday offers advice and support on returning to work after cancer
Most self-employed people going through cancer feel they could have used more emotional support during their illness, according to new research from the VUB. Pink Ribbon vzw, through its project Pink Monday , frames all breast cancer patients who want to get back to work after their treatment.
Disclosures about surgery
What is moving within the field of therapeutic and reconstructive surgery for breast cancer? An enlightening conversation with surgeon Jan Lamote, who was coordinator of the breast clinic at UZ Brussel from 2009 to 2019.
Reimbursement for wig or other headgear for hair loss after cancer therapy
Hair loss after cancer treatment is difficult and confronting. Moreover, solutions, such as a wig or custom hat, are often expensive. Starting July 1, 2024, you can count on a partial refund for these.
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