CHENNAI:To reduce the stigma surrounding cancer, doctors and researchers from the Adyar Cencer Institute will now be starting a new scheme where patients undergoing Chemotherapy will be able to wear wigs made from their own hair. “When cancer patients lose hair due to chemotherapy, many do not opt for wigs. One because natural hair wigs are slightly above the affordable limit of many and secondly, synthetic hair wig makes it too easy for others to spot. They do not want to be differentiated from the rest, so they prefer being bald,” said Dr E Vidhubala, Associate Professor, department of Psyco - Oncology at the Adyar Cancer Institute.
“In order to make a difference in their lives we have come up with a plan where patients will be able to wear wig made from their own hair during that phase,” she added.
Usually, patients begin to lose their hair within 3 to 6 sessions of Chemotherapy. After that they opt for wigs. Four months back, a 27 year old J Mubarak, a housewife and mother of a three year old girl, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She travelled all the way from Bengaluru to the Cancer Institute for treatment, she recalls her combat with the disease, “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I honestly braved myself to go through all the procedures. But after the second session of Chemotherapy, my hair began falling. My hair was very long and thick, just like her’s,” said Mubarak pointing towards another lady with long tresses. “I was already battling with all the pain, but as each strand of my hair fell, my self confidence lowered. It changed my whole appearance. I was very sad, so then one day my husband brought me a synthetic wig, I wore it and it was okay. But when I stepped out I saw people staring at me and my hair, I felt like the odd one out. One lady at the tea stall also asked me if I had cancer. Later that day I just threw away that wig and decided to stay bald and wait till my real hair grows,” said Mubarak.
As a new addition to their project ‘Tangled’ - a hair donation drive, the Adyar Cancer Institute is now working on a pilot project in association with Raj Hairs International where a patient who will be undergoing Chemotherapy can shave off their hairs before the sessions commence and give it to them, and within a month they would get back a wig made from their natural hairs at a price of Rs 4000. “This will be implemented by the end of this month. And will be streamlined for every year. All they have to do is approach us and agree to donate their hair. They would feel a lot better, atleast till the time their own hair grows back,” said Vidhubala. They are also working on ways in which the wig can be re used by others, “There are lot of factors to keep in mind to make the wig reusable, as the patients condition is very delicate. We will do something about that too,” she added
The institute has already tied up with Green Trends salon and the Rotaract club of WCC for its hair donation drive. Around a hundred students from Women’s Christian College donated eight or more inches of their hair to support the cause last week.
“Previously the only worry was survival, but now since quantity of survival of cancer patients is high, we now need to look at improving their quality of life. Hair loss, appearance and low self esteem are the common worries. We just want to do our bit to help and make a difference in their lives,” added Dr Vidhubala.
One Lock Can Change a Life
Several wig makers in the city feel that wig making is not just business but service. Hemanth Kumar from Murali Wig Makers is one of them, “We used to mainly make wigs for actors, it was exciting to meet them and work with them. One day, about six years ago a man came to my store and asked me if I could make a natural wig for one of his relatives, The next day I saw this young lady, her head was covered with a handkerchief. She came in with her mother and too the kerchief off — she was bald. I took measurements of her head and brought a natural hair wig. As soon as I placed it on her, she burst out crying, her mother too wept. I was puzzled, then her mother told me that since the time she was diagnosed with cancer and began losing her hair, she refused to step out of her house. She thanked me for making her daughter look like she did before. I was taken aback. Till then I didn’t know ho much hair meant.”
Inflated Strands
A natural hair wig’s price starts somwehere around Rs 16,000, while a synthetic wig can cost as little as Rs 500. That’s why it’s a matter of choice, as well