Can a Breast Cancer Insurance Policy Make Me Feel Pretty?

Last year, more than 200,000 American women were diagnosed with breast cancer. It is the most common cancer among women, and a woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime. While scientists and medical professionals have made radical strides in the fight against breast cancer, the disease is still a leading cause of death in the United States.  Chemotherapy and radiation are two weapons used to successfully fight breast cancer. In addition to fatigue, nausea and anxiety, these therapies also lead to hair loss, which can wreak havoc on a cancer patient's self-esteem.  A breast cancer insurance policy allows a woman to invest in a high-quality wig, beautiful scarves or more expensive hair products, which can greatly contribute to her overall wellbeing. 

Chemotherapy drugs work by altering and attacking the rapidly growing cancer cells in the body. Unfortunately, they also attack any other "growth" cells, including those found in the roots of your hair. Hair loss occurs not only on your head, but possibly eyelashes, eyebrows and body hair. Depending upon the amount and type of drug used, a patient may experience complete hair loss or minimal thinning.  Some type of hair loss, however, is almost guaranteed.

Hair loss, however devastating, is only temporary, and begins between one to three weeks after treatment starts.  Hair growth begins three to ten months after treatment is completed, so a patient may be facing a year or more with little or no hair.
While there are no treatments that will prevent hair loss, patients have had mixed results with scalp hypothermia, where ice compresses are placed on the scalp during treatment, limiting and slowing blood flow to that area.  Side effects of this treatment include being cold and having an "ice cream" headache. Other patients have experimented with commercial hair regeneration drugs like Rogaine. While these drugs won't prevent hair loss, they may speed up growth once treatment has concluded.

Doctors and hair stylists alike recommend being gentle with your hair before you begin treatment. They suggest that you refrain from coloring, perming, highlighting or straightening your hair. Chemical processes can make your hair brittle and more likely to break. During treatment, they recommend gentle, all-natural conditioning products. As an added benefit, many high-end shampoos and conditioners have built-in aromatherapy, which can help manage your anxiety and stress, and reduce nausea.

Mental health experts agree that women should brace themselves for significant hair loss during treatment. While they are feeling strong, they may want to shop for wigs, silk scarves, or turbans.  A breast cancer insurance policy will give a woman fighting breast cancer the additional resources she needs to find the tools and accessories to rebuild her body image and self-esteem. Cancer Plans provides another way to help her get her "game face" and hair back