Hair, brows and eyelashes!

[SuziSch]

Hi All!

I was diagnosed in Nov of 2022 with stage 4b lung cancer and later, in May of 2023 with ovarian cancer. Not a metastisis but a second primary cancer. I’ve been a runner my whole life - almost 60 - and have lived a pretty “clean” life. So…all of this was pretty crazy. I had to go off the targeted chemo I was using for the lung cancer (it was working!) bc has to do full on nasty chemo for the ovarian cancer. I did 6 cycles, lost all my hair - as an ALL hair everywhere. 😳 I didn’t have any treatment for 7 weeks bc they wanted me strong for a surgery. During that time my hair started to grow back and my eyelashes came back really great. Thick and long, and I was so happy. Bc let’s be honest, with so little hair, good eyes can really make a gal feel better! Brows also started to grow back. But in mid Feb I had to start Lynparza and Avastin (Bev). About two weeks ago I noticed my lashes are falling out waaaay faster than they should normally even though I’m using a topical (Grand Lash) that is supposed to help them grow. This is so discouraging. My brows are also looked far more sparse than back in March. I am grateful that I just had good scans and the drugs seems to be working to keep both cancers (and the brain mass!) under control. I truly am…but I’m still a girl who cares what she looks like. Sigh. Anyone else taking these two drugs and having similar concerns? Both my oncologists agree the drugs could be a cause but say they haven’t had others ask about it.

Thanks all! I’d love to hear back. And stay strong. Cancer is a weird journey.

[Pixiepurple]

It's great news your chemo is working. Hope some one can help about the lashes. Just want to wish you well x

[SuziSch in reply to Pixiepurple]

Thank you so much! And best wishes right back to you!

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Dear SuziSch

Thank you for your post. I'm sure more of our members will be along to share their experiences. I wanted to let you know about the Cancer Hair Care website. They are a charity with a lot of expertise regarding all aspects of hair care after a cancer diagnosis and they have information on eyelashes and eyebrows here: cancerhaircare.co.uk/eyebro...

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page there is their contact number. If you leave a message they will call you back and you can discuss your query with one of their expert advisors.

We will be running a webinar with Cancer Hair Care on 22 May 2024 if you wanted to attend as ask about your eyelashes and eyebrows? You can book a place here: ovacome.org.uk/Event/cancer...

I hope this is useful.

Best wishes

Anna

Ovacome Support

[SuziSch in reply to OvacomeSupport]

Oh thank you so much! I will definitely check out that website. And I will also try to attend the webinar if I'm not at work at that time. So happy to have found this group!

[Fluffyjumper]

Hi. It’s great that your chemo appears to be working. Please be assured that your hair loss will be temporary and your eyelashes will grow back. Is your oncologist happy with you using Grand Lash? If this is the same product or similar to Grande Lash it states not to use it when undergoing chemotherapy.

[SuziSch in reply to Fluffyjumper]

She said I could use these with the maintenance drugs - Avastin and Lynparza - but maybe it’s NOT ok. Thanks for the tip!

[Gonewith]

Hi, I have lost my eyebrow and lashes once after 4th or 5th chemo around last May/June. Then had the surgery follow by two chemo Sep/Oct 2023 and lost both again. So glad I lost very little hair though evem though when I asked the ladies here they all said yes they had lost it again.

Since December 2023 I have been on Lynparza and Avastin (Bev), same as you and my lashes took so long to come back and they havent grown back that much so I went and for 1st time had them done. My eyebrow I have to pencil a bit every morning when I do my make up. I totally understand I felt more misrable during loss of eyebrow and lashes.

Glad your results are good. Take care xxx

[SuziSch in reply to Gonewith]

It’s weird the things that matter or I still want to control….like eyelashes and brows. I’m guessing the bev and the Lynparza are making my hair growth slower and thinner too…ugh. I hope your results have been good?

[Gonewith in reply to SuziSch]

Yes, blood test every three weeks are good. Three more avastin and ctscan at the end. Cant wait till its over.

[Mund2121]

Try Revitalash and Revitabrow. Pricey but they work.

[SuziSch in reply to Mund2121]

thank you!!

[cmania]

I wish I had more advice on the lashes but just chiming in to say I’m glad you are doing well with 2 primary cancers! (I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 47 during the debulking surgery for ovca. Still in remission for both). 🩵

[SuziSch in reply to cmania]

That is such good news. 47 is really young to be dealing with all that. I'll be 60 in a couple of months....diagnosed first time at 58....and I still feel young(ish!) most of the time. Other than all this crazy cancer stuff. Take care!!

[Saintgermain]

I don't have experience with those drugs but am an Esthetician I'm in the US have gone thru 2 treatment courses of carbo/taxol lost lashes both times use Grand Lash my Onc also prescribed Latisse that I apply at night works takes about on average of 2 months also supposed to work on brows my insurance covers most of it can be expensive.

[SuziSch in reply to Saintgermain]

Thank you! I will ask my oncologist about Latisse! The grande lash doesn’t seem to be working anymore….

[Saintgermain in reply to SuziSch]

So happy I could help!