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This section gives information and practical tips to help you look after your hair during and after cancer treatment.
This is Bengu's story of coping with hair loss. Cancer experiences vary and this is only one person's story. To hear others visit our online community|.
You can watch this video with a British Sign Language translation|.
Tell us what you think of our videos.|
Some people having cancer treatment find that it doesn’t affect their hair at all. However, chemotherapy| and other medicines can affect the condition and growth of your hair. Some people find that their hair becomes thinner and in some people, it falls out completely. Any hair loss from chemotherapy is almost always temporary.
Quotes from people who've been there too
Throughout this section we have included comments from people who have had hair loss, which you may find helpful (some names have been changed). Some are from members of our online community|, while others are from our video about Bengu (see above) who had hair loss following treatment for leukaemia.
People who have surgery or radiotherapy| to their head may find they have areas where their hair doesn’t grow back.
The information in this section discusses ways to help you cope with hair loss, both practically and emotionally. It also explains how to get, pay for and look after a wig or hairpiece|, and mentions alternatives to wigs| such as hats, scarves and turbans.
Find out about our partnership with TONI &GUY hair salons on Strength in Style|, a scheme to help improve the quality of hair care on the high street to people affected by cancer.
If you have any further questions you can ask your doctor or nurse at the hospital where you are having your treatment or speak to one of our cancer support specialists.
Cancerbackup's| founder, Dr Vicky Clement-Jones (1948–1987), following chemotherapy for her ovarian cancer|, in one of the hats that became her trademark
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
You might prefer to read this information in a booklet. You can order this free from be.Macmillan