2 years after chemo, my hair has not grown back

Hi Everyone,

I'm also a breast cancer survivor and had problems with my hair after chemo (which I completed almost three years ago).  I have male-patterned baldness, similar to the way others have described it.  I also have hypothyroidism, and I am currently on Femara.  I'm curious if all of the survivors with hair not growing back after chemo have hypothyroidism.  I'd also like to know if anyone has had any success in growing their hair back.  I haven't found anything that helps -- except hats and wigs!  Take care, Maggie

On Dec 31, 2011 2:37 AM ojan123 wrote:

Hi All, I am another breast cancer survivor who has had trouble with hair growing back.  Diagnosed in 2006 and after 4 and a half months of TAC, and 5 weeks of radiation, and 2years of tamoxifen, then ovaries removed prophylactically and placed on aromasin for remaining 3 years.  Just finished in October 2011, but my hair is still sparse on top, and very grey.   So I definantly can relate to those of you out there with the same issue...my doctor thought once I had completed the aromasin I might see a change, but there is no difference.  Are any of you out there also hypothyroid, because I think that also might have a contributing factor. I think wigs will be my best friends now, because nothing else seems to be working.  If anyone finds an answer out there let us know.  Take care All.

Hi everybody! I read everyones post about your hair not growing back or at best sparsely. I went through radiation and chemo back in 2009. I lost all of my body hair.I had a head full of long dark curly hair like (Fran Drescher) on the Nanny! I loved my hair and as a hairstylist it was so important to me.I didn't mourn when I lost it.I knew it would grow back when I was finished with all of my treatments.My hair did come back but it was completely gray and had lost most of my natural curl and the hair was no longer near as thick as it had been.When we go through chemo it disrupts our hormones as it throws us into  menopause.I am sure our thyroid as well is affected.Those two things control much to do with our hair.I so hate to say that sometime the changes to our hair are permenant! I had breast cancer that was non-estrogen responsive and can not take hormones to help with my hair loss.The best thing probably is if you can take them,to talk with your Physician and see if HRT is and option for you.When doing that also use Rogaine or Monoxidile....you first have to have hair for those two products to work. Then wait and see if that happens.Get your thyroid tested too just to make sure that is ok. Best of luck to all of us!

My hair was thick & had natural waves.  It still seems to have the waves but it has thinned out a lot, especially on top & growth is slow.  It's only been 6 monthis since I finished chemo, 1 month since I finished radiation & I am still taking 20 mg. of tamoxifen everyday for the next 5 years.  Everyday I wash my hair & find the short little 1" pieces in the sink or tub.  The hair on top is not right at all.  It's hard to explain but it is like I have 1 small thicker spot on my bangs & the rest is thin.  I keep it combed to the side with the sides behind my ears.  I also find that I get cold all of the time now where I didn't use to.

There is a website devoted to this issue it's called taxotears. There is a 6-8% risk of permanent hair loss when taxotere is the chemo regimen. It's unfortunate the doctors gloss over that fact. Especially so when hair loss can be prevented entirely by using a cold cap during chemo. Penguin cold caps and Elastogel caps are what is available to the public.

Diagnosed Nov. 2008. Do you have brown hair?  I did and I also have hypo-thyroid problems now.  I'm also wondering age group.  I am 51 and have been using rogaine found out when I was 47.  Not much love from the rogaine but I keep hoping. I did see a specialist in SF, CA.  Sorry no help there. You can still see my bald spots with the male baldness pattern.  It is very difficult to live without hair and I feel for everyone of you.  I didn't take the the five year pills caused extreme moods for me.  I love the water and swimming was something I enjoyed, I don't swim now.  Best to all