I just came across this formal paper about potential treatments for hair loss caused by the aromatase inhibitors used to treat breast cancer www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../ (dated 2016)

From my first reading I believe they are suggesting that some shampoos and creams (eg regaine for men???) may be effective treatments for our hair loss/thinning, as may some supplements, without undoing the benefits we are getting from Anastrozole.

Article shared here in case it helps others now or in future ...

Hiya, 

Thanks for posting this...I've been on Letrozole since September 6th 2020...My hair is wavy now, it's always been thin...I'm interested to learn more... :-

Yvette

Yes, it would be interesting to know if there's any other literature backing this up or if there have been any actual trials. 

I try to accept my v thin hair as an inevitable part of ongoing treatment with anastrozole, but it does get me down & I'd love a fuller head of hair again. I'm nervous though of doing anything that might undermine my treatment.

It would be great to get a view from an expert/specialist

Catharine

Hi Catherine,

Welcome to our forum. Thank you for posting this very interisting article. I took Tamoxifen for one year and Letrozole for 6½ years. Fortunately, I originally had very thick hair, but it has thinned considerably throughout that time. I stopped taking Letrozole in July 2017, and now have a very short hairstyle, but still lose a lot of hair when brushing or washing it - considerably more than I lost when my hair was down past my waist. I have tried all sorts of shampoos to combat this, but have not found anything that helps.

We hear a lot about temporary hair loss during chemotherapy, but seldom hear about it with other therapies. It would be interesting to hear how others using these therapies have fared.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Catharine

I have just read this article tonight and found it interesting too. I've been on letrozole for 3 1/2 years now and my hair is thinning. I've always had lots of spiral curls and didn't always like it and now I wish I had it back. My hair is dry and wispy with a much looser curl. I'm not sure who to contact or what anyone will advise. I too have used hair fibre powders and they do help..and volumising powder but it's all temporary measures. I'm on letrozole for 10 years so I'm concerns it keeps thinning. Of course I appreciate being free of cancer but it's still an unpleasant side effect of it all. One of many. Sorry to moan. I know I'm not alone. Thank u. 

Hi,

You could speak to your oncologist and GP for advice which is what I did. I switched from letrozole to Femara due to hair breakages. Although femara comes under the brand name of letrozole, the consultant told me that it may be one to try (more expensive). So I've been on Femara for 18 months now and have 2 and a half years left on it. I would say there has been some reduction in  breakage. My hair has still been thinning and my scalp is currently itchy. As we get older our hair thins anyway but like you, if I can do something to help strengthen it I will, whilst totally grateful for the drug which is protecting me. I have ringlet type curls but tended to dry it straight then use straighteners to straighten it more. So, I spoke to my GP and she gave me a list of shampoos to try which I'll share with you: T-Gel (scalp still itchy after using for a few weeks but I think the cold weather and a dry atmosphere doesn't help), Moogooskincare, Olaplex (highly recommended by her but expensive). My oncologist has suggested taking multivitamins and I have read that green tea is good for hair health and growth. For now, I'm using t-gel, noughty conditioner and noughty hello curls (revives yor curls and conditions) and not using any hair appliance to give my hair a rest form the heat or tieing it back with a clamp. At some point  may try Olaplex. I hope this helps a little bit.

Hi 

Thank u for all that info I will look into it. Since covid I've not heard from my oncologist but I could probably phone my breast nurses with any concerns and ask them to pass onto him.  Thank u. X 

Hi AJAY,

Like you I tried T/Gel. I also tried Ginger shampoo (Body Shop), Fujii Green Tea shampoo (Body Shop), Alpecin shampoo, Capasal Therapeutic Shampoo, Ketaconazole, Alphosyl, Selsun shampoo, Polytar liquid, Polytar Plus, Bettamousse, Betamethasone, Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Hair Loss Serum, and many others, all to little avail. The only one that helped relieve the itch a little is the Betamethasone (Prescription only), but it's done nothing for my hair growth. The Olaplex is expensive, but I think that I'll give it a go.

Many thanks,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolemine,

I was just wondering how you got on with the olaplex shampoo? My scalp is very bald and what little hair I have is very thin. I've taken and tried everything from shampoo and tablets/vitamins/minerals but no luck. Most are expensive but I'll try anything. My oncologist said it is probably from the letrozole and when I stop taking it it should hopefully come back. After chemo and radiation it was growing quite thick and I was delighted with my pixie hair but after 8 mths it started to thin and it's got worse. You can clearly see my scalp and it's so heartbreaking going out anywhere because people do stare and I feel embarrassed even though I know I shouldn't you can't help it. I've had the wig (too hot) and a hair topper but it looks false. Anyway my next plan is to get a referral to a dermatologist and a endocrinologist (just found out I'm now diabetic!!) I have underactive thyroid but on meds for years for it. I'll let you know how I get on but I'd love to hear how you are doing and thanks for the chats and information your really good. All the best. Xx 

Hi Jane,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I'm afraid that other matters have taken precadence since my last post and I haven't yet got around to using Olaplex. I am sorry to hear that you are having bother with your hair too and hope that you find that the dermatologist or endocrinologist can help you. 
I look forward to hearing how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx