PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For this edition of "Shara in the City," the conversation is about the emotional and psychological impact of hair loss and how wigs can help people reclaim their identities and restore self-confidence and a sense of normalcy.
According to recent estimates, over 300,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. The good news is mortality rates have dropped, and tremendous progress has been made on detection and treatment.
However, with chemotherapy comes hair loss.
Loss of control, loss of self
"When I think about hair loss, I think of it almost like a battle," says Natasha Bidadi Carey, who has experienced hair loss.
Like many in the hair-loss community, she says wearing wigs has brought her some peace of mind.
"So about 85% of men and 33% of women will at some point experience hair loss in their life. This is why I think it's so important for us to talk about it," she said.
"For those that experience loss, the underlying illness can be traumatic enough, but what I find — when it's coupled with the loss of hair, it can be particularly debilitating. I feel that this is because many people tie their youth, their beauty and their identity to their hair."
When that is taken away from someone, it can make them feel is if they have lost control and a little bit of themself, Carey said.
"The thing that's most empowering to me is that wigs allow us to take control of our narrative, and sometimes feeling better is restoring normalcy."
Comfort and healing
KYW's Share Dae Howard visited Wigs 360, a by-appointment-only shop in Feasterville, in Bucks County, to meet with Karina, who runs the place. She says people come to her for help for a number of reasons. The reason for their hair loss could be medical or nutritional or the effects of chemotherapy.
"I greet patients, people, clients with hair loss, and I educate them at first about my wigs that I carry," Karina said. "I give them opportunity to try them on. And then, from there, we take different styles."
And any style that somebody could want, she carries. But she says it's really important to understand, it's not just about fashion — it's about comfort and healing.
"They really, really care about comfort — for people to walk out of the doors with self confidence, for sure."
🎧 More from Bridging Philly
"Shara in the City" is part of the KYW Newsradio original podcast Bridging Philly.
For more, listen to Bridging Philly here, in the Audacy app, or wherever you find your podcasts.
More ways to help
🎗 Oct. 19: Step into the world of wigs at the Philadelphia Alternative Hair Pop-Up in Manayunk.
🎗 Oct. 20: Support the fight against breast cancer at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bridging Philly is featuring a special series of conversations about breast cancer — the journey through it and the fight to cure it.