When Cancer Changes Your Appearance
Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is frightening and can be confusing, even paralyzing, and the road to recovery can be equally daunting. Life-saving cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can have severe side effects, making patients feel extremely unwell, and often, completely depleted both physically and emotionally. They can also cause noticeable physical changes that can have a substantial impact on how cancer patients feel about their physical appearance.
Hair loss, or alopecia, is a common side effect of many, but not all, chemotherapy drugs. Hair follicles are often damaged by chemotherapy because the drugs affect cells that are growing quickly. It’s hard to predict how much hair a patient will lose or how long hair loss will last, as it can depend on the type and dose of chemotherapy drugs used as well as how their body reacts to the regimen. Hair loss can happen on any part of the body, not just the head. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may begin to lose hair within a few days or two to three weeks after chemotherapy begins. Hair usually begins to grow back once chemotherapy treatment has ended.
It may sound petty, trivial, or vain to focus on hair, but when it comes to cancer, it’s not JUST HAIR. Whether we love or hate our hair, it’s one of the main ways we express ourselves. We may have long hair, short hair, red hair, purple hair, heck…we can even shave our heads - whatever - it’s OUR choice. However, when that choice, that important tool for self-expression is taken from you, it becomes much more than just hair.
Losing hair can be emotionally challenging. Hair loss is a very visible side effect and can negatively impact self-confidence. For some patients, losing their hair is the hardest part of cancer treatment.
Angela Fochesato, Healthy Acadia’s Cancer Patient Navigator, is a cancer survivor and has been a cosmetologist for over 35 years. Angela began her journey some years ago when she volunteered at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, working with patients diagnosed with cancer and actively involved with the American Cancer Society's, "Look Good Feel Better" program.
“With my experience, research, and training, I can prepare patients for the stages of losing their hair thus releasing the fear and anxiety they may feel,” said Fochesato. “Typically, patients want to take control of the situation, so they might buzz-cut their hair, or have a friend do it. But that’s not the right process. It’s painful and can damage the hair follicle. I use a holistic approach to remove the hair using the therapeutic hair removal process with essential oils by therapeutically removing the hair. It’s designed to give the patient the tools to take charge and make the right decisions for them in a safe, private, and professional environment. Individuals experiencing hair loss go through so much. We understand it's more than “just" hair. We provide our patients with the best products, service, and experience possible.”
Fochesato’s innate ability to provide support and humor throughout this process is why so many of her patients have commented that she has made a difficult experience easier than they ever imagined. It’s one of the many gifts that she brings to community members navigating the journey of cancer. She makes a difficult transition more comfortable due to her knowledge and her understanding.
Some of Fochesato’s patients shared these comments:
“Angela gave me more than a great-looking wig, she offered kindness, compassion, and understanding when I needed it the most.”
“I knew I didn’t have to worry about my hair. The 100% attention and care she gave to me boosted my confidence immediately. I was then able to concentrate on getting better.”
“Being diagnosed with breast cancer is tough to handle, but the thought of losing my hair affected me more than I had imagined or would like to admit. I never thought I was that vain and fighting this battle was much more important. I met with Angela soon after I found out and my life changed dramatically! She has a way that is not only professional, but personable and caring. She is so knowledgeable about what is going to happen with losing your hair that I learned more from her than my doctors.”
“Angela has an amazing ability to work with cancer patients. She offers exceptional service and care, but it’s her heart and compassion, and willingness to go above and beyond that makes her really stand out from other wig providers. She has made late-night hospital visits or house calls whatever is needed, she delivers. Her gift is helping you get through what you think will be one of the worst journeys (losing your hair to cancer) and she actually makes you see that this journey is not alone, and the two of you can smile and maybe even laugh a little along the way.”
For more information about Healthy Acadia’s Downeast Cancer Patient Navigation Program, or to access patient navigation services, email Angela Fochesato at: Angela@HealthyAcadia.org, or call (207) 263-6230 or (207) 255-3741, Ext. 103.