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Chemotherapy is a treatment which uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells.
The drugs work by attacking the cancer cells and disrupting their growth. Unfortunately, they can also affect the normal cells in the body, including the hair follicles. This causes hair loss, also known as alopecia. Unlike cancer cells, however, the normal cells quickly regrow so if you lose your hair as a result of chemotherapy it will grow back once your treatment is over. Before you start chemotherapy your doctor will have discussed the possibility of hair loss and other side effects with you.