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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Have Patients: Cosmetologist Rebecca Estensen applies lipstick to Diane Bennett, a breast cancer survivor. Estensen volunteers once a month for the American Cancer Society's 'Look Good ... Feel Better' program, which is designed to help women cancer patients learn how to cope with appearance-related side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Healing Beautifully
Cosmetics program helps cancer patients boost their confidence
By Melissa Matchak
As the cosmetologist gave instructions, the eight women seated around the table chatted among themselves as they applied eye shadow, lipstick and other makeup.
During the second part of the afternoon's activities, the women tried on wigs, learning about the differences between real and synthetic hair.
For two hours on a Monday at the American Cancer Society center in Campbell, eight women in different stages of cancer and treatment gathered for the American Cancer Society's Look Good ... Feel Better program, designed to help improve the self-image and self-esteem of women experiencing appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.
As the program began, each of the women at the table introduced themselves by name and stage of cancer or treatment. Two women discovered they had the same surgeon. Two other women had children at the same school. Many of them removed their wigs, one to reveal a completely shaved head. Lee Florang, 72, told the group that she decided to shave her head because she was tired of cleaning hair from her hats.
"My husband and son-in-law said, if I was going to lose my hair, they would shave their heads, and they did," said Florang, who is being treated with chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.
Although some of them seemed hesitant to share their story at first, by the time the introductions were finished, conversations were in full swing, and continued throughout the afternoon.
Diane Bennett, 52, discovered the program through information given to her by her surgeon. Bennett, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in August, found the program to be uplifting and positive.
"When you get together with other people who are going through what you're going through, you have an immediate connection," Bennett said. "When you're going through chemotherapy and you feel your appearance changes, this type of thing helps you feel better."
The free program, which was founded in 1989, is held at local cancer society centers nationwide. Elena Alcala, who coordinates the local programs, said Look Good ... Feel Better programs are held once a month at the Campbell location, and she hopes to increase the number of programs to two per month this year.
Alcala said the cosmetologists who volunteer to lead the programs are trained especially for informing cancer patients about the changes their skin will go through. She said they go through a four-hour training program, which gives them a medical and patient perspective on skin, hair and nail care.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Feeling Good: The 'Look Good ... Feel Better' programs offered by the American Cancer Society usually have a turnout of about six to ten women undergoing or finished with cancer treatments. During the session, the women get the chance to talk to each other and offer support and ideas for dealing with the effects of cancer.
Alcala said the program generally has a positive effect on the women who attend.
"Sometimes the patients come in and they are down. The cosmetologists give the women confidence and courage," Alcala said. "It's a very humbling experience."
As boxes of cosmetic products donated by companies such as Jergens, Maybelline, Bonne Bell, Clinique, Oil of Olay, Ponds and Merle Norman were opened, the women compared products, enthusiastic about trying something new. One woman smiled as she put makeup on her sister, whom she had brought to the program. Cosmetologist Rebecca Estensen, who works for Preston Wynne Day Spa in Saratoga, gave instructions on applying the cosmetics, from concealer and foundation to blush and eyeliner. She also emphasized creating eyebrows to the group, as many cancer patients also lose their eyebrow hair during chemotherapy treatment.
"I enjoy being able to volunteer for this," Estensen said. "When the women leave, they seem to have a better feeling of well-being. It helps their confidence to wear that little bit of makeup, especially with all the changes happening to their hair and skin."
The atmosphere of support continued as Lupe Gonzalez, a cosmetologist for May's Beauty Salon in Willow Glen, helped the group of women try on wigs of different styles and colors. As she demonstrated on one participant, she also explained the difference between wigs made from real hair and synthetic hair, and the care of both types.
Gonzalez said she has been involved with the Look Good ... Feel Better program for two months, and volunteers as often as possible. Alcala said the wigs were donated by boutiques and other cancer patients, and were cleaned by the San Jose City College cosmetology students.
The Look Good ... Feel Better program is a partnership of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, the American Cancer Society and the National Cosmetology Association. The program, which includes the 12-step skin care and makeup instructions, options relating to hair loss, and nail care, provides participants with the complimentary makeup kit to use and take home.
The program also provides a safe and comfortable forum for patients to share stories, support group and wig shop information and talk about their treatment and surgeries. Some of the women laughed about not having to shave their legs anymore. Others got teary-eyed as they talked about the reactions of friends and family.
"Cancer changes your life immediately, just with the word," Bennett said. "We try to maintain normalcy in our lives."
The next Look Good...Feel Better program held at the Campbell branch will be on Jan. 22. Two other programs, Luzca Bien ... Sientase Mejor and Look Good ... Feel Better for Teens, have been implemented to serve women in the Hispanic community and teens with cancer.
For more information about the program, call 408.879.1032, or go to www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
