How Chemotherapy Can Lead to Permanent Hair Loss

For the millions of men and women who have had to suffered from hair loss, it is an aggravating, depressing and embarrassing condition, regardless of whether it is caused by illness, injury, hereditary conditions, trauma, or medication side effects. While all these hair loss conditions are different, they all have a damaging effect on the victim’s self-esteem and quality of life. Our hair plays a large role in who we are and how we identify and express ourselves to the world. When hair is lost, it affects who we are and how the world sees us and treats us and for those with permanent hair loss conditions such as Alopecia, it can have a life-changing effect in a very negative way.

 

Chemotherapy treatment and Hair Loss

“The psychological effects of hair loss often surprise many people and may even prevent cancer patients from seeking the proper lifesaving treatment. Recently, well-known Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood declined chemotherapy for his lung cancer, not because he didn’t think it wouldn’t work, but because he didn’t want to lose his hair!” (Bauman Medical).  Thankfully the majority of chemotherapy patients finish their treatments and their hair begins to grow back. Often times the hair is different than before- it is a different color, different texture or more slowly growing. However, when hair growth does not return after chemotherapy it can be a traumatizing experience. For both men and women, hair loss is one of the most commonly cited reasons for depression and social anxiety and a lack of self-esteem.

 

Breast Cancer and Taxotere Hair Loss

Thousands of breast cancer survivors who were treated with Taoxtere or docataxel (Sanofi-Aventis) during their chemotherapy regiment have experienced alopecia also known as permanent baldness. This condition is diagnosed when almost complete hair loss occurs and little to no hair regrowth has occurred once the medication has been stopped and ample time has been given for it to be flushed out of the body. The big issue is that many cancer patients are not being told they may experience complete hair loss and even fewer are being made aware of the risk that is might never grow back after their receive the drug therapy.

“Even though Sanofi-Aventis, manufacturer of Taxotere, admits that 3% of patients given the drug could experience alopecia, or permanent hair loss, oncologists don’t seem to know anything about it. And no one is telling patients that their breast cancer treatment could leave them physically disfigured and emotionally scarred” (Ahead of Our Time).

This is why there are class action lawsuits as well as many individual cases against the manufacturers of this drug.

 

Legal Representation

If you or a loved one has experienced permanent hair loss because of receiving Taxotere, give us a call. We are here to help and are committed to fighting for your rights and promise to do everything we can to help you get back some of the quality of life you enjoyed before your hair loss.