Cancer and Hair Loss Part I

Cancer and Hair Loss (Part I)

by Felicia Wills

“There are studies that show that for many women, losing their hair is worse than losing a breast.  That's because you can conceal the loss of a breast, but hair loss is so obvious and apparent.”          

Marisa Weiss M.D., President and Founder, Breast Radiation Oncologist, Philadelphia, PA 

 Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and affects one in eight women during their lives, but thanks to improvements in treatment and early detection, millions of women are surviving breast cancer today.

For many people, hair loss is a distressing aspect of cancer treatment. Losing our hair can change our sense of identify – that is, how we see ourselves and how we relate to others which, in turn, can affect our quality of life.

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a group of diseases in which abnormal body cells in one part of the body start to grow out of control.

Normal body cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly fashion. Cancer cells grow and divide without stopping. As a result, they live longer than normal cells and they keep forming new abnormal cells. 

These cancer cells may join together to create a lump, mass, or tumor. Some cancers, such as leukemia, start in the blood and blood-forming organs and do not form tumors. Instead, these cancer cells circulate through other tissues where they grow.

Eventually, this uncontrolled growth damages normal cells and interferes with normal body functions. Treatments for cancer focus on stopping this growth by killing cancer cells while causing as little damage as possible to surrounding normal cells.

The Different Types of Cancer

Cancers are categorized according to their primary site, (the part of the body where the cancer started), and by the type of tissue in which the cancer began. They are then classified in stages I, II, III, or IV, with stage I being early stage and IV being advanced. The stage impacts treatment and the prognosis for recovery.  

There are four major types:

Carcinomas start in the internal or external lining of the body. They are the most common type of cancer, accounting for about 80 to 90 percent of all cancer cases. Examples of this type of cancer are breast, colon, and lung cancer.

Leukemias start in the bone marrow, or soft, spongy center of the bone where blood cells are made. In most cases of leukemia, the body makes large number of white blood cells (leukocytes) that do not work properly.

Lymphomas start in the glands or nodes of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that purify body fluids and make lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that fights infection.

Sarcomas start in supportive or connective tissue, such as the bones, tendons, cartilage, muscle, and fat.

 

 Who Is At Risk?

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, after heart disease, according to the American Cancer Society.  Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide.  Breast cancer is hormone related, and the factors that modify the risk of breast cancer when diagnosed pre-menopause and when diagnosed post-menopause are not the same. Half of all men and one-third of all women in the United States will develop cancer at some point during their lifetime. The American Cancer Society predicts that 1,529,560 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2010.  Cancer does not discriminate.  Although the risk of cancer increases as we get older, people of any age and racial or ethnic background can and do get cancer.

 Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Symptoms of breast cancer may include:

• Breast lump or lump in the armpit that is hard, has uneven edges, and usually does not hurt
• Change in the size, shape, or feel of the breast or nipple -- for example, you may have redness, dimpling, or puckering that looks like the skin of an orange
• Fluid coming from the nipple -- may be bloody, clear to yellow, green, and look like pus

Men get breast cancer, too. Symptoms include breast lump, breast pain and tenderness.

Symptoms of advanced breast cancer may include:

• Bone pain
• Breast pain or discomfort
• Skin ulcers
• Swelling of one arm (next to breast with cancer)
• Weight loss

 Treatment

Cancer is treated by an Oncologist. Oncologists are physician specialists who study, diagnose, and treat cancerous tumors.

Typical Cancer Treatments may include:

• Chemotherapy medicines to kill cancer cells
• Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue
• Surgery to remove cancerous tissue -- a lumpectomy removes the breast lump; mastectomy removes all or part of the breast and possible nearby structures
• Hormonal therapy to block certain hormones that fuel cancer growth
• Targeted therapy to interfere with cancer cell growth and function

by Felicia Wills 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HAIR CUTICLES...

Q: "I'm hearing so much talk about hair cuticles with Indian hair, but what are cuticles and what should I know about them? Please help, I'm confused!!" 
crazeeSexy

A: It can be a bit confusing because pertaining to hair, the word cuticle, is sometimes used in two different contexts; yet it is referring to essentially the same thing. Hopefully, this will help put it all into perspective for you. 

By definition, the hair cuticle is the outermost part of the hair shaft. It is a hard shingle-like layer of overlapping cells, which form scales that gives the hair shaft strength and acts as a protective barrier against all forms of damage to the softer inner structure, which includes the medulla and cortex.

A healthy cuticle controls the water content of the hair fiber, provides shine and allows hair to move fluidly. The cuticle is often damaged or lifted by excessive brushing, heat, or chemical processing like perms, color, and texturizers, and even sun and wind. Damaged hair cuticles may have a reduced amount of moisture in them and can make hair look dull, lifeless, brittle or stringy. A conditioner helps keep hair moisturized. Color treated hair or hair that has had a straightening treatment should be deep conditioned regularly, and hair that has undergone stronger chemical treatments should also have a serum to help protect it when blow drying and styling with heat.  

The word “cuticle” pertaining to human hair extensions and the word “remy” are essentially the same. It means that the hair is “virgin” hair that has has not been chemically altered. Even more confusing is that the word cuticle  also means that when the hair is collected and before the weft is sewn, care was taken to ensure that all the root ends of the hair strands are pointed in the same direction, just as they were when coming from the scalp. This ensures that all of the cuticles are going from root to end, which enables the hair to maintain its healthy shine and appearance, move fluidly and remain tangle free. If care was not taken at collection and the cuticle for each hair strand is sewn in the weft in different directions, tangling and matting are likely to occur and hair will appear dull and lifeless. This is what makes lesser quality Indian hair extensions unmanageable, with a tendency to tangle and matte, and is also an example of non-remy hair. 

Further, "Beware of non-Remy Indain" hair as referenced here  http://www.perfectlocks.com/about-perfect-locks-hair... In order to compensate for this, the hair will go through a process sometimes referred to as an acid bath, to completely remove all the cuticle. This can be equivalent to about ten perms in a row. After the cuticle removal process, the hair is dipped in silicone to make it shine and to cover up any cuticles that were not removed in the acid bath.

Felicia Wills 
http://howdoyoudoyourdo.blogspot.com 
http://naturalnailenhancements.blogspot.com


by crazeeSexy » Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:31 am

Wow, thank you so much for this response. I never expected to get such an informative answer! Sounds like getting hair cuticles running in the same direction is a complicated process... glad Perfect Locks does is doing that for me, haha. Very excited to get my hair, this info will help me learn more about how to care for it 

Please check out Perfect Locks Forums for more interesting topics and to get your questions answered! http://www.perfectlocks.com/forums/felicia-wills-u55/

Free Brazilian Remy Lace Front Wig Contest Entry Brings TTM Awareness to Business Owner!

Queens of Weave Contest

My Entry:

The major challenges that I face with my hair are keeping bald spots covered that were acquired from Trichotillomania. (TTM). I have never tried a lace wig and would love to win one! Win a free lace front wig here:http://www.queenslace.com/winafreelacefr

ont.htm

Win a Free Lace Front

www.queenslace.com

Queens of Weave Lace Wigs is located in Hartford CT. We sell perfect undetectable lace wigs and teach females how to wear them correctly.

I entered this contest on October 12, 2010 but I didn't win :-(

HOWEVER!!!...

We won one for TTM AWARENESS! WHOOOHOOOO!

Yondel B., Owner of QUEENS OF LACE wrote about what she learned from their Contest and had this to say: 

What I learned from this Contest:

I learned about Trichotillomania(pronounced: trik-oh-till-oh-may-nee-ah) is a type of psychological condition that involves strong urges to pull out one's own hair. This is a real condition that does exists. I wasn't aware of it and I am glad that I am now. People who suffer from Trichotillomania are sometimes bullied, deal with anxiety, and depression. I wanted to make sure all of my subscribers were aware of this as well. No one deserves to be picked on period and these people are strong yet phenomenal in my book. I will continue learning about Trichotillomania because Queens of Weave would like to help. I will keep you guys updated on this...

Free Brazilian Remy Lace Front Wig

Today, during my internet surfing and research, I stumbled upon a site called The Lace Wig Connection. http://thelacewigconnection.ning.com


It's a site for anyone who loves, buys, sells, or applies lace wigs.  They offer a 1-stop place for buyers, sellers, & stylists to meet, greet and share. I have always wanted a lace wig and I would also love to learn to make them for clients! (It's always been a vision of mine) so I joined. There I visited a vendor who is holding a contest from October 6-19, 2010 for a Free Brazilian Remy Lace Front Wig!


The rules were simple...post the answer to the question: state what your major hair challenges are and submit!  Repost your response on your facebook, twitter, blog, or all! Along with your post tell your friends about the contest with the link

http://www.queenslace.com/winafreelacefront.htm 

Here's my answer...

The major challenges that I face with my hair are keeping bald spots covered that were acquired from Trichotillomania. (TTM). 


Hope I win!!!!! I have never tried a lace wig and would love to win one! You should try too!
Win a free lace front wig here:http://www.queenslace.com/winafreelacefront.htm

Trichotillomania: Hair Loss, Treatment, and Perfect Locks.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPEAkWw15i8

Trichotillomania: Very Personal Losses

Posted by perfectlocks on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 · 0 Comments 

For the majority of people, a full head of hair is something to be prized, an indication of beauty and health. For others, hair is to be sacrificed, to maintain a humble spirit and balanced soul. However, for millions of men and women suffering from trichotillomania, otherwise known as “trich” (“trick”), hair can cause real anguish, as – regardless of their attitude toward their locks – these people suffer from an uncontrollable urge to pull their hair out by the root. It is estimated that between 2 and 4 percent of Americans suffer from this disease, and yet there is little public awareness of trich or how it works.

What is Trichotillomania?

Trichotillomania (pronounced “TRICK-oh-TILL-oh-MANE-ee-ah”) is a scientifically-recognized psychological disorder that leaves its sufferers routinely compelled to pluck out their hair, either strand by strand, or in clumps. Hair pulling may be done on purpose and involve many complex rituals, or unconsciously, with the hands or tools like tweezers or hairbrushes. Some trichotillomania sufferers pull out their eyebrows, eyelashes, leg, arm, or other body hair, although the vast majority focuses on the crown area of the head, leaving “Friar Tuck”-like bald patches surrounded by hair.

While doctors have not pinpointed any exact causes of trichotillomania, it is believe that genetics and neurological imbalances play strong roles in developing the disease; a handful of studies seem to indicate that the same genes and brain chemicals that mutate or get out of balance to cause depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, and Parkinson’s may be involved in bringing about trich, too. Other risk factors are family history, stress, and mental illness, as many trich patients report pulling their hair to relieve stress or anxiety, or to cope with depression. In adults, women seek help for this disorder more often than men, but young boys and girls appear to develop it at the same rate. This leads many researchers to believe that trichotillomania strikes men and women equally as often, but that women may simply seek treatment more.

How TTM Effects Its Victims

Many trichotillomania patients already suffer from low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety disorders; stressful events like the death of a loved one, job loss, or recent move have been noted to trigger trich, as has puberty. The loss of a person’s hair – unexplainable to those who do not actually realize they are pulling it out – is often a source of further shame and distress, as victims feel powerless to stop what they may see as unwarranted balding. They may also feel under siege by troubles, and are often quite embarrassed about being seen in public without a wig, hat, or concealing makeup. Without a proper understanding of what’s happening, the condition can worsen, as the added stress leads to more hair pulling, just for the sense of relief, and the cycle begins all over again.

Still other victims can spiral into secretive and almost obsessive-compulsive patterns of behavior, just to hide their hair pulling from others. Compulsive plucking can lead to baldness, destroying hair follicles at the root and preventing new growth, and can also cause or aggravate carpal tunnel disease. For sufferers who eat their pulled hair, digestive blockages, weight loss, and severe illnesses can occur because of internal hair balls.

Diagnosing the Disease

Some possible signs of trichotillomania are:

• bald patches on the head, face, or body,
• missing, or unnaturally or unevenly thinned eyelashes or eyebrows,
• routinely pulling out hair, and
• chewing, eating, playing with, or rubbing removed hair across the lips or face.

If you suspect that you or a loved one might suffer from this disorder, a visit to the doctor can help confirm or disprove your thoughts. During this visit, the physician will ask several questions about the frequency and circumstances of the hair pulling, as well as the emotions that surround this behavior. Beforehand, it helps to gather as much evidence as possible about how the patient sees themselves and their hair, and how they feel before, after, and during the pulling, so that the doctor can gain a clear picture of the condition. Many doctors will also request a skin or hair sample for biopsy, just to rule out any other causes of the hair loss.

Treatment for TTM

Right now, the most common treatment for trichotillomania is psychotherapy. As this is a compulsive disorder, most doctors refer patients to psychologists or emotional therapists who use a combination of approaches to help victims become more aware of the situations and feelings that lead to the pulling, as well as techniques for stopping it. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is often used for just this purpose, while alternative medicine practices like hypnosis and biofeedback offer promise, too. Antidepression drugs are used in some cases, but often have side effects and cannot be taken by all patients, so the best course of treatment is counseling and mental or emotional therapy.

As a stop-gap between diagnosis and treatment cycles, many victims find it helpful to identify the times when they are most likely to pluck, and then cover or busy their hands. Others opt to keep  short hair cuts, invest in wigs or hats, or join support groups.

For more information on trichotillomania, talk to your physician or mental health specialist, and be proactive about seeking help for yourself or others. There’s no need to keep this disease in the shadows anymore.

Trichotillomania Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Through spreading awareness, in helping others who still suffer from Trichotillomania, and may still believe they are the "only one".

Felicia Wills is a TTM sufferer and these are her examples. Also known as a Friar Tuck sign; a balding pate surrounded by a fringe of hair.


About the condition

Trichotillomania, AKA; "TTM" or "Trich" for short, is an impulse control disorder to pull out one's hair. The condition typically begins in children around age 12. The possible causes for TTM are being researched, but like most disorders, it probably results from a combination of genetics & environmental factors. Frequently, a stressful event can be associated with the onset, such as: change of schools, abuse, family conflict, or the death of a parent. The symptoms also may be triggered by pubertal hormonal changes. It is estimated to affect one to two percent of the population, or four to eleven million Americans.

Diagnosing the condition

Most people with trichotillomania pull hair from their scalp, especially the crown. Some also pull from the eyebrows, eyelashes, and other parts of the body. Most people pull hair with their fingers, but sometimes use tweezers. For some people, hair pulling is intentional and focused. Other people pull their hair unconsciously.

Signs and symptoms of trichotillomania may include:

• Playing in hair and twirling strands around the fingers
• Recurrent pulling out of one’s hair resulting in noticeable hair loss
• Patchy bald areas on the scalp or other areas of your body
• Sparse or missing eyelashes or eyebrows
• Chewing or eating pulled-out hair
• Playing with pulled-out hair
• Rubbing pulled-out hair across the lips or face
• An increasing sense of tension immediately before pulling out the hair or when resisting the behavior
• Pleasure, gratification, or relief when pulling out the hair
• The disturbance is not accounted for by another mental disorder and is not due to a general medical condition (i.e., dermatological condition)
• The disturbance causes significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

 Battling the condition from the sufferer's perspective

The persistence of the compulsion can vary considerably both from person to person and by occurrence to occurrence. At times it can be controlled with extra awareness and concentration, and at times the urge may be so strong that it becomes compulsive. Those afflicted with TTM go to great lengths to cover bald spots on their heads or missing eyelashes, and eyebrows with hairstyles, scarves, clothing, or makeup.

Because TTM was not in the public media in the United States until about 1989, many people with TTM have gone for many years without adequate information about their condition, or appropriate treatment. Self esteem is damaged and shame keeps them from reaching out for help. This is why TTM Awareness is so imperative!

 Possible remedies and or cures

Of all the disorders belonging to the OCD family, trichotillomania is probably one of the least understood by both sufferers and practitioners alike. It has also been, for many years, among the most frustrating and difficult to treat for all parties concerned.

There is no known cure for TTM. However, a wide range of treatment options are available to including: Hypnosis, Herbal Therapy, Psychiatric Drug Therapy Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Trichotillomania Support Groups, Self Esteem workshops, Relaxation Techniques and lots of will power.

Article written by Felicia Wills

Resources:
Trichotillomania Learning Center: http://www.trich.org
TrichWorld: http://trichworld.ning.com
The Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trichotillomania
COGNITIVE/BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT OF TRICHOTILLOMANIA By Fred Penzel, Ph.D.http://westsuffolkpsych.homestead.com