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elise24601
elise24601 Member Posts: 155
edited May 2016 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

prescribe the types of chemo drugs that don't cause hair loss?

I know there are many kinds, and when relatives of mine did chemo for colon cancer, they didn't lose hair because of the specific formulas. Is this ever possible in breast cancer treatment?

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited May 2016

    Well, I have heard CMF only about 25% lose their hair. Doctors usually want to go aggressive if your health is good and the best prognosis is with chemo. But you could look into cold caps there is a forum. I heard really encouraging results at keep almost all hair. Even with anti hormone drugs some have experienced hair loss.

    Others will chime in soon.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited May 2016

    In one chemo class I went to the RN would go around and tell us if we should expect hair loss. It depends on what chemo you are getting. There was one lady in the room who was told will experience a little thinning but no real hair loss.

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  • suems
    suems Member Posts: 133
    edited May 2016

    The predictions are not necessarily accurate anyway. I am on MMM (see below), and I was told it was a fairly mild chemo, so I would only get thinning towards the end, not total baldness. I have just had my second round of 6, and am getting the shave and wig on Monday. My Onc said that shedding this much this fast means I will probably lose the lot. The itch is driving me crazy, and I'm sick of leaving a white cloud behind me everywhere I go.

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  • elise24601
    elise24601 Member Posts: 155
    edited May 2016

    I will get the results of my biopsy on Mon/Tues.

    Doesn't look good since I'm only 31 with 2 masses and calcifications in left breast, according to ultrasound and mammogram.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited May 2016

    As others have said, CMF is the only one, out of the typical regimens that does not always cause hair loss, but ultimately you need to choose the regimen that will save your life; you have many years ahead of you. Cold caps are an option many have used to preserve hair.

    I have been through chemo twice and have been through the hair loss twice. It is not easy per se, but not as bad as I feared... For me anyway. I wore wigs or hats with hair the first time and ball caps or occasionally buffs the second.

    Wishing you the best. I know this is hard.

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