2007-05-16 13:32:32 · 15 answers · asked by lydia 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
I'm at stage o (breast cancer) and I don't want to lose my hair so is radiation better than chemo? what other side effects to you get with radiation treatment?
2007-05-16 13:44:20 · update #1
Hi Lydia, i'm sorry to hear of your cancer. Stage zero is a good stage, but I agree with dark, I would treat with chemo and/or radiation. Radiation only kills surface, like skin, tissue and it's pretty damaging to the area. Radiation to lymph nodes can cause permanent damage to the lymph system hence lymphedema side effect. Chemo is harsh yes but it does kill the cancer cells that can escape during surgery. You do not lose your hair with radiation but hair is the least worry, killing the cancer is #1 worry right now cause you don't want a recurrance. Some people do not lose their hair with chemo, my friend Kat died of cancer she had it 4 times and never lost any hair. Ice bags on your head during the initial chemo treatment does help somehow, it's not clear how but she never lost hers and they told her to do that.
2007-05-17 16:06:23 · answer #1 · answered by Tina of Lymphland.com 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had stage 1 breast cancer with surgery, chemo and radiation. Some types of chemotherapy can cause hair loss, in my case I lost all of my hair but after treatment it grew in more beautiful then it had ever been. Radiation will not make you lose your hair. However, if you are young and would like to keep the cancer from recurring, it is best to treat it aggressively with both radiation and chemotherapy. If you are not sure, ask a second oncologist.
2007-05-16 14:21:45 · answer #2 · answered by darkcunumdrum 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends a lot on the amount of radiation treatment she will receive, but chemo therapy is more noted for hair loss than radiation. She will be sore and easiest way to say it, is like having a severe sun burn....my experience is from my wife going threw cancer treatment. On another note; keep you mother in a positive state of mind as much as possible, try not to let her get depressed. Mental attitude is more than 75% of the battle!!! Keep her laughing no matter what you have to do, again my experience with my wife with her 2 cancer battles, and yes she is still here with me. Good luck and stay positive.
2016-05-20 15:29:07 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radiation will not cause you to lose your hair where you are having radiation..however expect that your body will tell you that it is tired and that you need to sleep when it tells you to...you will feel fatigue and some people feel nausea. Some times depending upon the length of your therapy you will get a reddening of the skin like a sun burn. You will have regular check ups during your radiation with your oncologist so discuss any problems or concerns you have.....they are great people.
2007-05-16 15:23:49 · answer #4 · answered by lilmedic 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have stage 0 breast cancer, and had radiation treatment. I did not loose any of my hair. The only thing that happened to me was getting like a sunburn, with a tiny bit of blistering.
2007-05-16 14:18:19 · answer #5 · answered by mickey 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had radiation treatments, 6 weeks, 3000 rads of cobalt, 3000 rads of electron accelerator, It was to the right side of my head so I lost about 50% of my hair,, and about that many teeth over time,, and some hearing,, but that was 20 yrs ago.
I remember some at the time that lost all their hair,, but it will grow back,, mine did. They will tell you there are no effects, but depends on what part of the body. Several people sat outside the building toking on a little weed to help with dizziness. Strange place,, people holding a cigarette up to a hole in their throat to smoke,,
2007-05-16 16:40:20 · answer #6 · answered by Jo Blo 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Both radiation and chemo fight cancer by killing fast-growing cells. Unfortunately hair cells are also fast growing so they are destroyed also. Hair regrows after treatments are finished.
2007-05-16 13:56:16 · answer #7 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radiation is site specific so you will only lose hair in the area being treated.
2007-05-16 13:39:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radiation treatment effects people differently.
The majority do not, but some will.
Combined with Chemotherapy, yes you do.
2007-05-16 13:38:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
with chemo....u certainly loose yr hair...
with radiation....there is a possibility that u might depending on the number of sessions/rounds u need and intensity of the radiation....
if u want to keep yr hair......radiation is yr best option...
good luck.!!!
2007-05-16 16:43:55 · answer #10 · answered by S.S. 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋