If your cancer treatment causes hair loss or hair thinning, support and advice are available.

Advice and support for patients who attend Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and Finchley Memorial Hospital

Cancer Hair Care is a charity that supports people of any gender and ethnicity with all aspects of hair loss before, during and after cancer treatment. 

They can offer advice on caring for your hair, scalp cooling (cold cap) and explaining hair loss to children.

The hair loss advisers offer consultations on most Fridays, from 10am to 2pm, alternating between Chase Farm Hospital and Finchley Memorial Hospital. 

Please call 020 8375 2247 or 01438 311 322 for details before making a special trip to see them.

Hair loss advice and support for patients at the Royal Free Hospital

There are sample wigs and hair loss items including scarves and turbans at the Macmillan information and support centre. These samples can help you choose the best options for managing your hair loss.

Headwrappers also offer online sessions around hair loss, including scarf tying.

Getting an NHS wig

If you are likely to lose your hair as a result of your cancer treatment, you can get a wig that is partly funded by the NHS. 

You may wish to be prepared in advance and get a wig which matches your hair, or you may prefer to wait until your treatment has begun. 

Practical information on choosing and wearing a wig can be found at Macmillan Cancer Support.

If you would like an NHS wig, let one of the following people know so they can organise your referral:

  • the nurse at your pre-chemotherapy appointment
  • your chemotherapy nurse
  • your radiotherapy team
  • your cancer specialist nurse

You will then receive an information pack by post or email with details on booking your wig appointment. 

There is a charge for NHS wigs, even if you get free prescriptions, except for certain groups. 

There are also other ways to get a wig if you do not want one via the NHS. 

If you would like to know more about any aspect of getting a wig, including possible help with the cost of buying one, ask your Macmillan cancer information and support centre.