If you lose your hair during chemotherapy, you may choose to wear a wig, scarf, turban or hat while it’s growing back. Or you might feel comfortable leaving your head bare. You could try out a few options over time and see what feels like the right thing for you.
You can buy or borrow a wig – some hospitals and treatment centres provide wigs for free or a small fee. Your local Cancer Council may also provide a free wig service. Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 or ask your treatment team about borrowing or buying wigs. Check with your private health fund, as some may cover part of the cost of a wig.
→ READ MORE: Changes to body image and sexuality
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A/Prof Elisabeth Elder, Specialist Breast Surgeon, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and The University of Sydney, NSW; Collette Butler, Clinical Nurse Consultant and McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Cancer Support Centre, Launceston, TAS; Tania Cercone, Consumer; Kate Cox, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Marcus Dreosti, Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director, GenesisCare, SA; Dr Susan Fraser, Breast Physician, Cairns Hospital and Marlin Coast Surgery Cairns, QLD; Dr Hilda High, Genetic Oncologist, Sydney Cancer Genetics, NSW; Prof David W Kissane AC, Chair of Palliative Medicine Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; Prof Sherene Loi, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr W Kevin Patterson, Medical Oncologist, Adelaide Oncology and Haematology, SA; Angela Thomas, Consumer; Iwa Yeung, Physiotherapist, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD.
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