If your hair falls out or thins it can be very upsetting. Some people find that it is one of the hardest parts of having cancer treatment. You may have many different emotions – ranging from anger to anxiety, to feeling low and depressed. Some people worry about how their appearance will affect their relationships with family and friends. You may also feel uncomfortable about socialising if you feel that you look different.

Most people find that their family and friends are very supportive and that it can help to talk through their feelings about losing their hair.

At the hospital you will probably meet other people who have had hair loss and they can often give helpful advice and personal hints on how they have coped. You can also meet other people whose hair has fallen out at cancer support groups.

You can talk to the nurses at Cancerbackup if you find it difficult to cope with your hair loss or other aspects of your cancer and its treatment. The nurses can give you information on how to contact a counsellor in your area. You can also contact the Cancer Counselling Trust.

Many people see their hair as a very important part of their appearance. For some people, losing their hair can cause very strong emotions, such as anger and depression. While you are going through treatment and having to cope with many changes to your life, losing your hair may seem like the final straw. It can also act as a constant reminder that you have cancer and may make you feel vulnerable and exposed. If your eyebrows and eyelashes also fall out this can make you feel even more vulnerable. Losing a beard or moustache can really affect the way a man feels about himself. These reactions are completely normal. It may take a while to come to terms with hair loss.

"I have to confess the first sight of myself in the mirror did come as a horrible shock. In all the time I needed my wig I never came to recognise that reflection as being me: a truly weird sensation."

Some people find that losing their hair is not as bad as they had expected. One person told Cancerbackup:

"Losing your hair is not that bad really. I had lots of fun with different wigs and styles. In fact I got more compliments than I ever had before. I was even asked by a stranger where I got my hair cut – I was wearing my wig at the time."

In some cultures, hair is seen as a symbol of fertility and desirability, or a sign of health and status. Some cultures believe that hair gets rid of impurities from the body. If hair has a special significance for you it can be even more difficult to adjust to losing it.