I’m due to stop taking Lynparza in 3 months, I’ll have completed two years. These last six months or so my hair has thinned considerably, I’d estimate nearly 50%. I’ve always had quite thick hair so this thinning is becoming a little distressing. I’m 65 and initially when I first noticed more than usual loss when washing my hair I thought it may be my age but now I’m thinking it’s a cumulative effect of the drugs.
I wonder if anyone has experienced the same? Does hair return to its usual state when treatment is completed?
Oncologists seem to differ in their opinions of whether it’s a side effect and it’s not mentioned on the Lynparza website as a possible side effect.
I admit it’s bothering me, so much so, I think about stopping taking them now (I’m on 400mg, HRD+).
Love from Barbara x
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Whybirdie
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I was on olaparib for several years and noticed that my hair gradually thinned. It plateaued after a while though and when I came off it my hair started growing relatively normally again. After recent chemo it has really thinned, much worse than when on olaparib. I did read somewhere that when people start on olaparib after taxol induced total hair loss, the hair doesn't start growing again till olaparib is stopped. Not sure how true that is but it was something that cropped up when I researched it.
Thank you for your reply. It’s another layer to our new normal but one that I could do without, lol!
I keep looking for research on this but haven’t yet found great results. I think we should be made aware of hair thinning. My first oncologist said not, then my second oncologist matter of factly confirmed it was a side effect.
All the best with your chemo, (I’ve gone through it twice too, first time was for breast cancer).
Just to say on Olaparib for nearly 4 years , no hair loss. And went on it when hair returning after chemo . In fact hair and nails have strong growth . But we are all different of course, I would just be cautious that it is the Olaparib. ???
I have been on Olaparib for 18 months. When I finished chemo, my hair started growing back well (I kept half my hair using the cold cap). But when I started Olaparib the growth slowed right down and I notice I have sparse body hair too. When I wash my hair I notice it is so thin ... it does grow but very slowly.
Er...it's absolutely a side effect. It will grow back just don't get a razor cut. Scissors. Coconut oil. This too shall pass. Hugs from paris. Btw I was bald 3 times
I suspect that hair thinning is one of those side effects that varies from individual to individual (all part of the rich tapestry of Olaparib - having said that I am very grateful for Olaparib!).
I lost my hair 20 years ago with breast cancer, and again with first line carbo taxol for ovarian.
Now nearly two years on Olaparib (suspect I will be taken off soon). My hair has grown back apart from my fringe and widow's peaks. And I am a lady who very much needs her fringe! So, I am still wearing wigs.
And I keep cutting my hair (apart from my thin, very poor quality fringe hair which is almost not there on the fringe area) so I can wear the wigs.
I judge how fast my hair is growing by how often I need to shave my legs! All my life, I shaved them once a week. Now it is once a fortnight! That tells me my hair growth is much slower on Olaparib.
I walked down the street last week and a forty year old man passing with his cup of coffee suddenly said "Hair's looking good!". I am 77 so I take my compliments where I can find them!!
In fact, all my wigs (blonde, grey and red) have elicited compliments from strangers at various times, so blow my fringe hair, say I.
Emma, thank you for your response. My hair is so important to me. I hate it not being like it should!
I’ve recently had it trimmed and my hairdresser noticed how much thinner it was. When I look back on photos it really has very slowly diminished over the last 12 months - sneakily, I might add!
I been taking Lynparza for 4 years and a half ,my hair was very thick and healthy, but since the Lynparza it changed completely is very thin and long I got tired of it and cut it very short,when the wind blows my empty spots shows,it makes me sad and not pretty anymore, but very thankful to be alive..ovarian cancer since 2017 then in 2019 and taking Lynparza since..
I was supposed to be on this for one year. After just a couple of months I had to stop. It shut down my bone marrow. The other issue I had, and still have one year later, is thinning hair. My hair fully regrew back thick and full after chemo. Then Lynparza came and now I have very thin hair on full crown front to back. I don't know what to do to get it to grow back! If you've learned anything, I would love to hear it. Sorry about yours. I understand the distress.
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