Breast cancer survivor faced hair loss during chemotherapy and reclaimed her identity
Lisa Steinhauser said she lost her hair and part of her identity during treatment for triple-negative breast cancer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Aging Untold) — Hair loss is often the most common and visually striking side effect of chemotherapy, especially for women.
Lisa Steinhauser, a breast cancer survivor, said she lost her hair and part of her identity during chemotherapy. Now she inspires patients to find strength during their own battle.
Hair as part of her identity
“So when I knew I was going to lose my hair, that was pretty hard because I had a lot of it,” she said.
Hair has always been Steinhauser’s craft, artistry and expression.
Diagnosis and treatment
In December 2021, Steinhauser went in for a routine mammogram, and she said doctors found a spot they were concerned about.
“I really was not expecting it to be anything at all, but it was,” she said.
She was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive, invasive type of breast cancer. Treatment is intense.
“It was not fun,” Steinhauser said. “I went every three weeks.”
Shaving her head
Steinhauser’s hair began to fall out during treatment.
“Being in the shower and washing my hair and having those handfuls come out,” she said.
Steinhauser decided to shave off the remaining hair.
“I decided that that was not going to define me,” she said.
Her grandchildren shaved her hair off for her.
“I am going to still be that fun, spunky person that I’ve always been,” she said. “I just rocked the bald.”
Message to others
Steinhauser said she is now clear of the disease, “NED — no evidence of disease.”
She said she wants people to know there is hope.
“No matter what’s happening, you don’t know. There is going to be hope and just keep fighting,” she said.
Dr. Rhea Rogers shares her story
Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, said she identifies with Steinhauser. The same thing happened to her during cancer treatment. When Rogers’ hair was falling out, she shaved her head.
“I identify with her. You know, just depends on how people view their identity. And, you know, some people are just tied to their hair and all that, but really it’s your heart,” Rogers said.
Rogers shared a similar message of hope that Steinhauser did.
“Just don’t give up,” she said.
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