Dealing with hair loss, brittle nails, and more…

Breast cancer treatments affect people in different ways.  While attacking the cancer and helping to preserve life, they can also impact our skin, nails, and hair – it’s rubbish we know. 

It is natural for this to be an important topic of conversation for many women going through treatment.  How we look can play a big part in how we feel.  Most people are aware that it can cause thinning or loss of hair; fewer appreciate the potential to cause redness in skin tone, the sparse eyebrows and eyelashes or, to top things off, brittle and damaged nails – sounds like fun … NOT!!

Your cancer team can give you advice on looking after your skin, and may point you in the direction of online tutorials however we know that many patients go straight to Google to learn more - which is why we have put this blog together so that we can help point you in the right direction.

Some things to know about breast cancer treatment:

• Chemotherapy drugs can make your skin dry and more sensitive to sunlight.

• Certain drugs may make the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet red and sore. 

• Radiotherapy may affect your skin colour in the treatment area, so your skin may become red, sore or itchy. 

• Hormonal therapy drugs can affect your skin, nails, and hair; although the effects are usually mild.

• Steroids can make your skin more likely to get spots and redden.

• Immune therapies/ steroids can cause rashes, dry skin or spots that look like acne.

If you don’t already do so, it’s important to start looking after your skin and protect your hands and nails. If you use makeup, consider whether a different foundation or concealer might help you more.

Patients often tell us of the gifts they receive throughout their treatment – all appreciated for the thought, but only some really helpful.  Friends and family want to show their love and support, and  help make things feel ‘OK’; buying a gift is one way of doing this. So why not let them know what you would like by putting together an “essentials list”. Don’t worry!  It doesn’t make you a diva but it could make things easier for your loved ones and both you and they will need all the help you can get.

We aren’t the experts in this so for more information and advice we suggest you go to Look Good Feel Better.

Here you will find advice and tutorials from skincare, make-up, and grooming experts, including how to cope with complexion challenges and making thinning brows and lashes feel and look thicker.

The first Look Good Feel Better workshop for women was held over 26 years ago. They provide online sessions led by trained volunteers and offer a chance to chat with others as well as allowing you to learn useful skills and techniques to help manage some of the side effects of cancer treatment. And most importantly, while you are learning you are being supported - there is always time for a lot of chat and laughter!