Embracing Her Fight
- Nicole Eggert has been going through her breast cancer journey with an inspiring grace, confidence and vulnerability, allowing herself to express the often changing emotions that many people experience after such a challenging diagnosis, while appearing to embrace her new bald look.
- Over recent years, more and more survivors have let go of covering up their heads, a move to change the stigma on what is perceived to be sexy. Plus, it is simply Eggert’s reality. And acceptance can be a huge part of going through cancer.
- Some women choose to try to combat symptoms using cooling caps, a technology that can help reduce hair loss, but others simply accept it so they can focus on fighting the disease, and shave their head themselves to gain back some of that control that cancer can take from you.
The Baywatch alum received immense support on her social media after sharing a video of herself shaving her head last month, and was photographed out and about on Friday, looking casual and rocking her bald head with oversized sunglasses and comfy sweats.
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Eggert, also known for her beach blonde locks, stepped into the high-cut swimsuit in 1992 at just 18 years old and his been vocal about her insecurities starring alongside Anderson, feeling pressure to enhance her breasts to compete. In January, the mom of two daughters told PEOPLE she regretted the decision.
Breast cancer, for many women, can make those insecurities run wild, as people going through it have to deal with hair loss, losing their eyebrows, changes to their breasts or having to remove them, weight struggles due to the treatment, and often times depression.
Navigating Hair Loss
Overall, hair loss can be challenging for women and men alike through the aging process, but it can be incredibly difficult for cancer patients, as it typically happens very quickly after starting chemotherapy treatment. Losing your hair or seeing it thinning is a common side effect of some cancer treatments.
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Hair loss occurs because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body. That includes cancer cells but also hair cells.
“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet.
Living With Cancer: Coping With Hair Loss & the Anxiety it Brings
To cope, Dr. Boardman suggested reaching out to other survivors who have been through a similar situation if you feel comfortable doing so.
“Talk to people who have been through it, get their advice, voice your concerns to your caregiver and see what they can do,” Dr. Boardman added.
For those who can’t stand the idea of being seen without their hair, there are plenty of options available, such as wigs, head wraps, and hats. Some survivors have even created products specifically for people with cancer so they can feel comfortable in their own skin.
Another option that can minimize hair loss is cryotherapy.
WATCH: What is a scalp-cooling device?
“Just a fancy way for saying cold therapy,” says Dr. Renata Urban, gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Cryotherapy involves wearing cold caps or special cooling caps before, during, and after each chemotherapy treatment.
Dr. Boardman also noted that some people may not feel comfortable talking about hair loss, and that’s OK, too.
“To encourage them to bring that up, to encourage them to talk about it, I think can be very helpful,” she said. “But also, for patients it might be something that they don’t talk about. [And they should] feel good and strong about saying, ‘This is something that I don’t feel like discussing right now, and I’ll let you know when I do.’”
Nicole Eggert’s Cancer Journey
As of last week, the Charles in Charge star announced that she had just completed week four of her chemotherapy treatment. In December, Eggert was diagnosed with stage 2 cribriform carcinoma breast cancer, a rare type of invasive breast cancer, after initially finding a lump in her breast during a self-exam of her breast. Ahead of her diagnosis, she had gained 25 lbs. and had experienced pain in her breast.
Nearly six months later, she has clearly been making effort adapting to her new role, inspiring her community with her advocacy for the disease and all that it brings, for better or worse.
“Remember being happy doesn’t mean you have it all,” the L.A. native captioned her Instagram video post. “It simply means you are thankful for all you have.”
In the clip, a relaxed Eggert — who looked beautiful with her soft makeup, lip gloss, and hoop earrings, along with her shaved head — said she’s been feeling a bit fatigued, but has been “listening to her body” and trying to combat her symptoms.
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Eggert said the waiting game has been tough amid all the scans and not yet knowing the full scope of her breast cancer, but is optimistic that she will be able to “go into surgery” soon “and do some removal” of her cancerous tissue.
“That would be amazing and ideal, but again, I’ll take it as it goes,” she said. “If I have to do more chemo, that’s where I’ll be and that’s what I’ll do.
Coping with an Emotional Breast Cancer Diagnosis
When you are diagnosed with cancer, feelings of fear and anxiety are completely normal.
SurvivorNet experts recommend four tips for women diagnosed with breast cancer to better cope with their emotions during this difficult stage of the journey.
Maintaining a Positive Headspace
- Let your family and close friends know and let them help. After a diagnosis, you’re often faced with a ton of emotions and need help. It would be best if you encouraged people close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
- Keep a journal. Many cancer warriors have shared with SurvivorNet that keeping a journal is an effective tool for acknowledging your feelings and emotions.
- Join a cancer support group. There is a good chance someone else is facing what you are facing or has been through this emotional leg of the journey before. Support groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you about what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
- Seek professional help from a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than bottling them inside can be therapeutic.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Hair Loss
- Is it likely that I will lose my hair due to treatment?
- Is there anything I can do to reduce these side effects?
- What can I do to reduce anxiety I am feeling over hair loss?
- Are there any products you recommend?
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