After my 3rd recurrance of breast cancer (all in breast and chest area) and even after bi lateral mastectomies and radiation and chemo. I've been on ibrance/letrozole for 1 1/2 yrs. I noticed some thinning of my hair approximately 6 months ago. Lately its thinning further. Anyone else had this happen, if so did you find any product etc that will prevent any further thinning or help hair grow back? I do wonder if aging contributes to hair loss. I'm 82.
Thanks for sharing your journey as well as success with reversing hair loss.
Kathy (aka Sony camera)
Written by
sonycamera
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Unfortunately I had this problem and consulted a doctor who works at a hair restoration clinic. He told me Ibranc goes after quick growing cells and unfortunately hair cells are fast growing. No hair formula can catch up with this type of cancer drug. I resigned myself to having a short hair style which although is another expense, it suits me and is very easy to maintain!
I lost some of my really think hair, most noticeably around my part, which I fill in with powder. Then all of a sudden we see that little hair pieces are spurting their way where the hair was lost.
Sorry...a couple of good looking synthetic wigs and was on my way. There was some trial and error, and wasted s/h returning stuff. I wound up with 2-3 nice looking wigs for less than $200. I'm 76
This is definitely an unwelcome side effect of Ibrance. I have been on Ibrance for over 2 years and my once thick and manageable hair has thinned down to about half of its volume and is difficult to style. I keep it short though with a wonderful hair stylist and have purchased 2 nice wigs, one synthetic through Wigs.com and a human hair one from a salon. I wear them when I go out, even to doctor's appointments, and they make me feel pretty.
I was blessed with very thick hair. About 6 months in handfuls came out everyday. I’m finishing month 11 and I do see growth around my hairline by my face and on the top off my head small hairs are sticking up. My hair is longer past my shoulders so I can see it’s new growth. I came close to just getting layers cut in. I do take hair, skin and nails with biotin vitamins and I use a pure type coconut conditioner. I heard coconut oil or conditioner is good. Not sure if that’s part of it or not. My hair is thinner now but it’s ok , it’s part of the journey and if it helps stop the cancer that’s ok in my book.
I am sorry, I am experiencing the same thing. I questioned my onc about it and he referred me back to my dermatologist. I wondered if anything would work because of the actual cause of the loss and he couldn’t/wouldn’t answer that. I tend to believe that something like rogaine would be ineffective and I think Claireperth just confirmed what I had suspected. I am hanging on to my long hair for now even though it is much thinner, just not ready to go short yet. Best wishes ❤️
Hi Kathy, I had thinning hair at about the 1 1/2 to 2 year mark using Ibrance and letrozole. I wore a topper for about six months, then it grew back and for the last 4 years I haven't had to use anything. Except for how odd hair becomes when it turns gray, it's back to normal.
Hair thinning is a common side effect for all cdk 4/6 inhibitors. I had no hair loss the first 15 months on Verzenio, my hair remained thick and shiny. After this period I think I lost at least 1/3 of my hair, the quality is gone as well. Nothing can be done about it as it is caused by medication and is not the result of any vit/mineral deficiency, hormonal issues (did not happen on femara, tamoxifen).
I’m on Exemestane and I shed hair every day. I only use a wide tooth comb once a day and I have to clean the comb every day. It does grow back and I still have hair past my shoulders. I had it trimmed above my shoulders last year and I had another two or three inches cut off last month but it seems to grow faster than it did before although maybe it just seems that way as I rarely go to a hairdresser since the covid outbreak started.
Hi Kerry I am on Exemestane n Ibrance …since February 2022 …I wore my hair in a Bob for years n it started getting thin n very dry. I just had it cut short n I love it cause I let it air dry with a little gel. N I have ringlets…. N also the powder that matches my color to fill in so you can’t see my scalp .,, . I also went to a cancer hair boutique n found a wig but I feel self conscious wearing it. I Hzve always loved wearing hats. But I love my new hair cut. We just moved back from North Carolina to New Jersey N I went to get my ID n had to wear my wig So self conscious but had alittle make on n who really likes their DMV ID
My treatment is working fingers crossed n love my new oncologist . I just had a bout with diverticulitis after my ovary surgery n then I need ear surgery n I just went for a teeth cleaning n X-rays n o now need a molar pulled. With the diverticulitis I lost 10 pounds n I am still afraid to eat some food. My pcp ordered some stool testing before sending me to GI which k Hzve had several colonoscopies… n I think
I Hzve IBD ….some days I can’t leave my house Still waiting to hear from pcp
it’s been a hell of a summer But hanging in there.
DMV photos and passport photos- everyone looks like they could be a member of the Mob!
I’ve started using Biotin in the hopes of improving my hair and I tell myself it’s working but it’s way too soon really to be making a difference.
I’m on Xgeva so I have six monthly visits to the dentist but this last time I had to go in early as I had terrible jaw pain. I was worried it was ONJ beginning but the dentist said it was an infection in the tooth pulp so I had root canal surgery and a course of antibiotics. It’s much better now thankfully. I have diverticulitis according to my scans but it’s not causing me any problems but I go between diarrhoea and constipation and I feel like my grandmother who spent every day worrying about her bowel movements!
I hope you get a lot of years with Exemestane and Ibrance although I didn’t get long with Afinitor and Exemestane together but I have with Exemestane alone. I’m not sure why the doctors didn’t swap me to a cdk4/6 inhibitor when the MTOR was stopped but we have subsidised medical and pharmaceutical so maybe there’s a rule governing it. It hasn’t mattered in my case anyway.
This is early days for you and I found the first year very hard and the second year easier but after that it’s been much better.
Stay strong! You’re doing well and long may it continue.
I think my hair is thinning a little, not sure of the cause or if anything can stop it. I'm trying shampoos & conditioners that have Biotin in the formula (can't consume Biotin since it weakens the Ibrance ).
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Thinning hair on Ibrance
Hair thinning or Hair loss 
Hair loss or thining and hair color 
