November 15, 2007

Robin Roberts on Losing Hair: ‘It was Devastating and Draining’

Brave “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts is talking publicly about her battle with breast cancer, revealing that the disease has taken her hair – but not her spirit.

“Three days after hosting a round table of cancer survivors on ‘GMA’ and 17 days from when I started chemotherapy, my hair began to start falling out, simply by touching it,” she tells “Good Morning America.” “Emotionally, it was devastating and draining. And as so many who have traveled this path before me had encouraged, as hard as it was, I knew what I had to do. I shaved it all off.”

Now Robin wears a wig, something she’ll do as she continues to host the show. Off-air, however, Robin will take it off.

“If I were in another line of work I might go without a wig all together,” she says. “But because this is what I do, I want to give you my best work and give you the story, not distract you from it.”

She adds, “Hair often helps define a sense of self, a sense of identity, so much so it can even interfere with treatment as some women who have battled cancer shared with me.”

Robin was first diagnosed with cancer in late July, and just weeks later she underwent her first surgery.

“This is new territory for me,” Robin told “Extra” at the time. “I’m hoping to face it as I have other challenges and obstacles in my life.”

In October, she said her prognosis was “quite good.”


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Comments (5)

On 15 Nov 2007, Piccola wrote:

If I never had a problem… I wouldn’t know that he could solve them. I’d never know what faith in God could do. Remember, he knows just how much we can bear. God’s Speed Sista’

 
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On 15 Nov 2007, Alfreda wrote:

Hello Robin,

I watched Extra tonite and saw your segment about shaving your head. 2001 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I endured a regime of chemo prior to my surgery as well enrolling in a clinical trail of microwave therapy in hopes of killing the cancer and avoiding radical surgery. I would go for my chemo treatment and walk across the hospital campus for the microwave therapy every 2 weeks. By the second week of my first chemo treatment my hair started falling out. To me this was devasting and at this point I felt I had lost all control over my life. I was living in a new city, no friends or family close by and doing this alone. When my hair starting falling out so did my emotions, one day after work I stopped at a local beauty shop and spoke to the owner. I told her what I was going thru and the only control I had at this point was to shave my head and start wearing a wig. She waited until her shop hours were over, closed the shop and cut my hair, from there shaved the rest. I finally felt like I was the one to make this decision, not a doctor, not the disease, it was me and I was taking control again. My wig, once I got used to it was FABULOUS, I must say, and like you, no one knew I was wearing a wig. The clinical trial I was enrolled in was successful and my case was published in JAMA as after the second microwave therapy treatment the tumor had been irradicated. After all the treatments I made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy and was thankful I did as the pathology results did detect salt and pepper cancer cells in my breast tissue. In April 2008 I will be finished with my Tamoxifin regime and I pray I will remain cancer free.

We are strong women, we take care of our families, we have careers, we protect our childrem and our friends from pain, but we are the pillar of strength, you will find your strength and you will prevail just like me and thousands and thousands of women who have walked in our shoes. My love, my strength and my prayers from my heart of hearts are with you my dear friend.

 
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On 15 Nov 2007, Katie wrote:

Robin is an inspiration to all woman.. Stay strong and keep the faith.. You are one heck of a woman..

God Bless and Love to you and your family.

 
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On 15 Nov 2007, Karen Gilbert of Newark, Delaware wrote:

I too am a cancer survivor of five years. I had breast cancer too. Lost my hair and was devastated at first but, with the help of family and friend’s I live on to tell the story. After my hair started to fall out in clumps, like a dog with mange, “I” decided it was time to shave the rest off. Now I have a beautiful head of hair and curls that I never had before. Good Luck Robyn, we are all with you girl!

 
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On 15 Nov 2007, gapeach wrote:

There are a few good things about losing your hair due to chemo - excluding the hair on your head and your eyebrows. You don’t have to wax or shave your legs and underarms.

I’ve been through it and when the hair on my head came back - it was thicker but a different color until I could change that.

Good Luck to Robin…

 
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