Chef Pankaj Bhadouria’s chemo-driven hair loss: Why it hits women survivors so hard

Chef Pankaj Bhadouria, a MasterChef India winner, recently shared her experience of losing her hair during chemotherapy, expressing the emotional impact of the side effect. The sudden disappearance of a familiar part of herself left her feeling shocked and distressed. Dr. Ramesh Sarin, a clinical advisor for breast oncology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, explains that chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicles, leading to hair loss. The extent of hair loss depends on the specific drugs, their doses, and the individual patient.

Hair holds significant importance for many women, as it frames the face, contributes to appearance, and is associated with femininity and identity. For women undergoing breast cancer treatment, losing hair through surgery and chemotherapy-related hair loss can lead to a profound sense of body-image disruption, as they may struggle to reconcile their internal sense of appearance with the changes they observe in the mirror. This mismatch can cause emotional responses such as embarrassment, anger, and depression.

The psychological impact of breast cancer is further compounded when it is followed by hair loss, as both the medical experience and the psychological experience may be intertwined. The loss of femininity, sexuality, and motherhood associated with breast surgery can create feelings of grief, vulnerability, and diminished attractiveness, making the psychological impact particularly challenging.