Can Breast Cancer cause hair loss before it is diagnosed?

My mom has been loosing hair latley, and it could just be my nerves, but there is some trace of breast cancer in my family. She's still young, only 38. I'm just a worried teenage daughter, I'm afraid I might loose her...I don't think she has thought about this fact that it could be something more than just loosing hair, but I just would like to ask the simple question of whether breast cancer can lead to hair loss when it is not yet diagnosed and there is no kemo going on. She has been on a diet, so could that be it?



Please tell me as much as you know.

I'm so worried.

All answers are welcome and valued.

Thank you.Can Breast Cancer cause hair loss before it is diagnosed?
As far as I know, It's not the cancer that causes the hair to fall but the chemo treatment, which is strong and affects ';weaker'; things such as hair folicles! Your mom might want to talk to her doctor about her hair loss, to see what could be the cause and how to treat it. Yes,a very harsh diet may lead to imbalances in the body and I thnk to some hair loss. Stress too.





ps: if you're worried abt your mom, in general (due to breast cancer family history), ask her to have a mammogram done soon (if she isn't having them regularly already) and to go to the doctor for periodic consults. Talk to her abt your worries. It's ok! It's better to speak up and let her know. She might already be going to these checkups without telling you. She might already be doing everything she can to make sure she's fine. Or, if not, she may do this after she hears that you're worried.



It's wonderful that you care so much and are alert to these issues. **Yet, don't stress too much over them either, relax girl! Your mom is a reponsible adult.Can Breast Cancer cause hair loss before it is diagnosed?
Not usually, no. Breast cancer and cancer in generally only give you a result of hair loss from the treatment, not the cancer itself.



If she's worried, she needs to see a doctor. Being on a diet and being stressed could be the reasons that she's losing her hair!



I think she should talk with her normal doctor about her hair loss, but she shouldn't worry too much about breast cancer. If she gives herself regular breast exams, there's even less reason to worry.
%26gt;%26gt;I guess there is that possibility but more than likely it is either due to stress or maybe hypothyroidism. Have you shared your concerns with your mother? I think you should. My mom had breast cancer about 15 years ago and did not have any hair loss. Me on the other hand will loose patches of hair (and I mean bald spots) when I become too stressed out. Look up alopecia areata (sp?) and also look up hypothyroidism. I have that too and it is pretty common. Hope this helps sweetie! God Bless!
i know that my friend had breast cancer and she only lost hair through chemotheropy. A lotof women start losing hair around that age. I wouldnt worry if i were you. If you really have concerns see a doctor but for now i think your fine
hair loss associated with cancer is from chemotherapy which kills all the rapidly reproducing cells in your body, such as hair follicles and the cancer cells, if your mom is losing her hair, it would not be from cancer unless she is on chemo.
Hair loss usually happens during the treatment stage.

';While chemotherapy is an effective treatment for many women, it is associated with a number of well-known and traumatic side effects, such as hair loss, and exhausting bouts of nausea and vomiting, which many patients find difficult to tolerate.';



Don't be nervous too much. There are lots of possibilities for hair loss. But people are suggested to do annual health or breast examination. The safest way is to ask your mum to visit a speciality doctor to do the examination. Cancer is more likely to be cured in the early stage.



Your mum can also do the self-exam firstly as follows:

';1. Lie down. Flatten your right breast by placing a pillow or towel under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind your head. Examine your right breast with your left hand.

2. Use the pads, not the tips, of the middle three fingers on your left hand. With fingers flat, press gently using a circular, rubbing motion and feel for lumps. In small, dime-sized circles without lifting the fingers, start at the outermost top edge of your breast and spiral in toward the nipple.

3. Press firmly enough to feel the different breast tissues, using three different pressures. First, light pressure to just move the skin without jostling the tissue beneath, then medium pressure pressing midway into the tissue, and finally deep pressure to probe more deeply down to the ribs or to the point just short of discomfort.

4. Completely feel all of the breast and chest area up under your armpit, up to the collarbone, and all the way over to your shoulder to cover breast tissue that extends toward the shoulder.

5. Gently squeeze both nipples and look for discharge.



After you have completely examined your right breast, examine your left breast using the same method with your right hand. You may want to examine your breasts or do an extra exam while showering. It's easy to slide soapy hands over your skin and to feel anything unusual. You should also check your breasts in a mirror, looking for any change in size or contour, dimpling of the skin, or spontaneous nipple discharge.';

(Quote from http://www.smile.org.au/cancers/breast%2



You can also learn more knowlege about sypmtoms, causes, effects and preventions of cancers, as well as a wide range of cancer therapies on ';www.smile.org.au';