I’m about to start this chemotherapy treatment next week. I’m being given Carboplatin. Will I lose my hair with this drug? Will it be worth trying a cold cap?
I'm sorry to hear that you're starting chemotherapy next week. It's natural to be worried about the side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss. Your doctor or specialist nurse should talk to you about all the potential side effects of chemotherapy before you sign the consent form to proceed with the treatment.
Check out this webpage on our website at this linkfor information on carboplatin and its effects. Your hair type and the amount of hair you have can affect hair loss, including how much hair you might lose. You may like to read our webpage on coping with hair loss and hair thinninghere.
You might talk to the chemotherapy unit or your specialty nurse about scalp cooling. For the majority of scalp cooling techniques, it must be applied up to 30 minutes before the chemotherapy begins and needs to stay on for between 30-90 minutes after chemotherapy. Depending on which chemotherapy agent you are receiving. The chemotherapy unit will explain this to you in more detail. Scalp cooling is not advised if you have a blood cancer such as lymphoma or leukaemia. Thislinkwill discuss scalp cooling in more detail.
I hope you find this information helpful. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
