A Qualitative Study of Hair Loss among Cancer Patients from Punjab (india)

Hair loss is a significant and disturbing side-effect of chemotherapy. It affects a number of sociopsychological aspects of cancer patients life especially women. The present study was conducted to understand the experiences of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in an anthropological context. The data was collected from 118 female cancer patients from the three districts of Punjab (India) namely Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Faridkot using an interview guide and through close observation of the cancer patients in hospitals as well as in family unit. A number of issues related to hair loss such as loss of gender and religious identity, social isolation and fear emerged among the cancer patients. It can be concluded that there is a need to address the issues related to hair loss to make the health care services for cancer patients more effective and socially sensitive.