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When to Get a Wig?

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The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Last Modified: December 13, 2011

Question

I was just diagnosed with breast cancer and told I will lose my hair from treatment. When is the best time to find a wig? How do I know where to go? Are there any resources to help pay for one?

Answer

Jodi Sandos, MSW, LSW, Oncology Social Worker at Penn Medicine, responds:

The best time to get a wig is before your start your chemotherapy. The American Cancer Society (1800-ACS-2345) is a great resource. They have a complete list of wig resources in your area, as well as funds available to help offset the cost of the wig. It is also a good idea to check with your insurance company because they will often reimburse with a prescription for a “cranial prothesis”.

This question and answer was part of the OncoLink Brown Bag Chat. Series, View the Life After Breast Cancer transcript.