Carefree hair salon for cancer patients

Hair stylist Linda’s eyes sparkle as her scissors nimbly and skillfully do their work. As a cancer survivor herself, Linda understands what a difference her volunteer work for hair cutting at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital makes to patients.

The hospital provides hair cutting service in its Cancer Patient Resource Centre to reduce the physical and emotional burden on patients as they often experience hair loss during chemotherapy. Kathy Liu, Assistant Social Work Officer explains, “patients are often very weak when they undergo chemotherapy, and want to avoid crowded places. If they go to a regular salon in the community, they might be asked embarrassing questions about their hair loss. The centre thus provides a private space for cancer patients to have their haircut.”

The hair cutting service was suspended during the epidemic and was badly missed by cancer patients. When the epidemic eased at the end of last year, the hospital recruited volunteers to restart the service, and Linda was one of them. Linda, who has retired, is not a professional hairdresser but has been her husband’s personal stylist for more than 30 years. “He was very patient with me,” she recalls. “Even if the haircut didn’t look good at first, he would let me continue cutting.”

“But in recent years, he hasn’t complained at all, perhaps I have improved or he is just used to it. When I cut my husband’s hair I sometimes accidentally cut him, but with patients I have to be extremely careful – especially around the ears.”

Linda’s value to patients is not only her ability to cut hair but also her understanding of cancer patients’ needs. “I’ve experienced cancer and the treatment process was exhausting and painful, but I made it through,” she reflects with a smile. “I share my experience with patients and tell them: Listen to the doctor’s advice on medication. Cancer is like a cold, and you will recover. I know that recovery can be accelerated when you face the illness with optimism.”

On one occasion, a woman came to Linda with the intention of shaving off her hair. When she saw her long hair in the mirror, however, she could not bear to part with it. Linda assured and encouraged her by gently telling her, “in nine months to a year, your hair will grow back black and soft. Quality comes with steady and fine work, so don’t worry.”

The centre also provides a range of wigs and hats to patients in need. When their hair grows back following chemotherapy, the centre provides natural hair dyes and skin care workshops to help patients look and feel their best to start anew.

The dedication of the volunteers and the caring service provided by the centre proves that recovering from cancer depends not only on the best available medicine and treatment but also on the support of caring people who help them through the difficult times.