[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/when-a-loved-one-faces-hair-loss-from-breast-cancer-treatment-advice-from-rcca-oncologist-rachel-levenbach-md\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/when-a-loved-one-faces-hair-loss-from-breast-cancer-treatment-advice-from-rcca-oncologist-rachel-levenbach-md\/","headline":"When a Loved One Faces Hair Loss from Breast Cancer Treatment: Advice from RCCA Oncologist Rachel Levenbach, MD","name":"When a Loved One Faces Hair Loss from Breast Cancer Treatment: Advice from RCCA Oncologist Rachel Levenbach, MD","description":"Each year, more than 287,000 women and about 2,700 men in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer. And for many of those people, the hair loss that can chemotherapy and other treatments represents insult added to injury.","datePublished":"2022-10-24","dateModified":"2025-03-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/ceastway\/#Person","name":"ceastway","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/ceastway\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Regional Cancer Care Associates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","width":506,"height":228}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Rachel-Levenbach-1.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Rachel-Levenbach-1.jpeg","height":626,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/when-a-loved-one-faces-hair-loss-from-breast-cancer-treatment-advice-from-rcca-oncologist-rachel-levenbach-md\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":1423,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen a Loved One Faces Hair Loss from Breast Cancer Treatment: Advice from RCCA Oncologist Rachel Levenbach, MD\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober 24, 2022\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEach year, more than 287,000 women and about 2,700 men in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer.1,2 And for many of those people, the hair loss that can accompany chemotherapy and other treatments represents insult added to injury.\u201cIt\u2019s a major concern for a lot of patients. They\u2019ll say, \u2018I know I shouldn\u2019t be thinking about this given the larger issues involved in treating my cancer, but am I going to lose my hair?\u2019\u201d says Rachel Levenbach, MD. The board-certified medical oncologist explains that her first response to that question is to assure patients that there is nothing inappropriate, vain, or frivolous about their concern. \u201cHaving to deal with hair loss is an everyday reminder that you have a serious disease and are going through chemotherapy or some other treatment to address it. In that respect alone, it is entirely understandable that people don\u2019t want to look in the mirror and see that their hair has thinned or is gone altogether.\u201dThe prospect of hair loss also can pose challenges for a patient\u2019s loved ones, who often don\u2019t know what to do or say to be supportive, says Dr. Levenbach, who has cared for hundreds of breast cancer patients at the Moorestown, NJ offices of Regional Cancer Care Associates, or RCCA, one of the nation\u2019s largest networks of oncology specialists.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cI\u2019m constantly impressed by the strength and encouragement that spouses, siblings, children and friends give to people who are facing cancer, and I can tell you that it makes a huge difference in my patients\u2019 lives,\u201d says Dr. Levenbach. \u00a0\u201cBut I also know that providing that support for a loved one can be challenging. First and foremost, there\u2019s the concern for the patient\u2019s well-being. Additionally, some family members and friends experience a sense of helplessness, a feeling that, \u2018I wish there was something I could do to make this all better.\u2019 Further, there can be uncertainty about what to say and what not to say, and I\u2019ve found that this worry often involves how to talk about hair loss.\u201dDr. Levenbach\u2019s advice to people struggling to find the right words: Understand how your loved one feels about the issue, and respond to her feelings, not your own.\u201cI understand that it can be heart-breaking to look at your wife or daughter or sister and see how her appearance has changed because of cancer and its treatment, but the reason you\u2019re so upset is that you care for her and want the best for her, and what\u2019s best is \u2018meeting her where she is\u2019 \u2013 not where you are.\u201dThe medical oncologist, who has a practice emphasis on breast cancer and has conducted clinical research on the disease since her fellowship at the Fox Chase Cancer Center\/Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, explains that patients have widely varying responses to seeing their hair thin or fall out as they go through treatment.\u201cSome women embrace it, and have no interest in wearing a wig or head covering as they go about their daily lives. For others, obtaining a high-quality wig is a priority, while some women want to minimize how much they are out and about as they are experiencing hair loss. The important thing is to understand how the person you love feels and to support her in the approach that\u2019s best for her,\u201d Dr. Levenbach says.She adds that this sometimes can be difficult when there is a mismatch between how a woman is dealing with her hair loss and how it is affecting someone who cares for her. \u201cIf losing her hair \u2013 or any other aspect of her experience with breast cancer \u2013 is really hard for a patient, encouragement and support are important, but that doesn\u2019t mean giving unhelpful advice to \u2018cheer up\u2019 or \u2018look on the bright side.\u2019 Conversely, if a woman \u2013 or man \u2013 with breast cancer is in a good place emotionally, relatives or friends who are having a hard time with the diagnosis should avoid repeatedly telling the person how sorry or upset or worried they are. Psychologists, social workers, and other counseling professionals can be of great help both to people who have cancer and to their partners or others struggling to deal with the illness and all of its ramifications. If you are experiencing significant worries or anxiety because someone in your life has cancer, it\u2019s important to talk with one of those professionals, both for your own sake and so that you\u2019re best able to \u201cbe there\u201d for your loved one.\u201d*****Dr. Levenbach earned her medical degree from Temple University Medical School and completed her internal medicine residency at Temple University Hospital. She then completed her medical oncology and hematology fellowship at Fox Chase Cancer Center\/Temple University Hospital before returning to New Jersey, where she was born and raised, to join the Moorestown, NJ offices of Regional Cancer Care Associates. Dr. Levenbach is among the 90+ cancer specialists who treat patients at 25 RCCA care centers located throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area. RCCA oncologists and hematologists see more than 23,000 new patients each year and provide care to more than 225,000 established patients, collaborating closely with their patients\u2019 other physicians. They offer patients the latest in cutting-edge treatments, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, as well as access to a wide range of clinical trials. In addition to serving patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers, and benign blood disorders such as anemia, RCCA care centers also provide infusion services to people with a number of non-oncologic conditions\u2014including multiple sclerosis, Crohn\u2019s disease, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis\u2014who take intravenously-administered medications.To learn more about RCCA, call 1-844-346-7222\u00a0or visit RCCA.com. \u00a0References: American Cancer Society. Key statistics for breast cancer. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/breast-cancer\/about\/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html. Accessed October 4,, 2022.American Cancer Society. Key statistics for breast cancer in men. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/breast-cancer-in-men\/about\/key-statistics.html. Accessed October 4, 2022.To learn more about breast cancer treatment and hair lossAs with all medical subjects, it\u2019s important to look to reliable web sites when searching the internet for information on how various therapies for breast cancer may affect hair thinning and hair loss. Typically, the web sites of government health agencies, medical societies, well-known medical institutions, and large, long-established non-profit organizations are good places to start, although it\u2019s important to vet all web-based information with your oncologist or other physician before taking any action. Web sites that address this issue include:National Cancer InstituteHair loss (alopecia) and cancer treatment. https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/about-cancer\/treatment\/side-effects\/hair-loss. Accessed October 4, 2022.American Cancer SocietyTreating breast cancer. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/breast-cancer\/treatment.html. Accessed October 4, 2022.Coping with hair loss. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/treatment\/treatments-and-side-effects\/physical-side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/hair-loss\/coping-with-hair-loss.html. Accessed October 4, 2022.Cooling caps (scalp hypothermia) to reduce hair loss. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/treatment\/treatments-and-side-effects\/physical-side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/hair-loss\/cold-caps.html. Accessed October 5, 2022.Choosing and wearing a wig. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/treatment\/treatments-and-side-effects\/physical-side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/hair-loss\/choosing-and-wearing-wig.html. Accessed October 5, 2022.Mayo ClinicChemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment. https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/chemotherapy\/in-depth\/hair-loss\/art-20046920. Accessed October 4, 2022.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twe are here for you\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor more information or to schedule an appointment, call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the\u00a0RCCA location\u00a0nearest you.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trequest an appointment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRELATED ARTICLES\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018Blood Work\u2019 and Cancer Detection: 2 RCCA Oncologists Explain What Doctors Look for in Your CBC\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cYou\u2019re going to feel a little pinch.\u201d Each year, tens of millions of Americans hear that phrase, or words to the same effect, just before\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCutting Your Cancer Risk: RCCA Oncologists Discuss 4 Lesser-Known Steps\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYou don\u2019t smoke. You drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. You avoid processed meats and you dab on the sunscreen before you hit the\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetting Your First Mammogram on Schedule Really Matters: 2 RCCA Oncologists Explain Why\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThere are many reasons women don\u2019t obtain their first mammogram at the recommended age: work commitments and other demands on their time, uncertainty regarding when\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"When a Loved One Faces Hair Loss from Breast Cancer Treatment: Advice from RCCA Oncologist Rachel Levenbach, MD","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/when-a-loved-one-faces-hair-loss-from-breast-cancer-treatment-advice-from-rcca-oncologist-rachel-levenbach-md\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]