Bald head, strong will: Burlington woman shares cancer recovery story

Lisa Steinhauser lost her hair during chemotherapy, a side effect that struck at the core of her identity as an artist and stylist. Now clear of the disease, she is using her experience to help other women facing the same challenge.

Steinhauser was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in December 2021 after a routine mammogram revealed a concerning spot. She described the treatment as intense, noting that she visited the clinic every three weeks for the duration of her care.

The physical changes began quickly. Steinhauser recalled washing her hair in the shower and seeing it fall out in handfuls. Because hair had always been a primary form of self-expression for her, the loss was emotionally difficult. She stated that she had a lot of hair and was not expecting the diagnosis to be anything at all.

Rather than let the condition define her, Steinhauser decided to shave the remaining hair off. Her grandchildren performed the shave, marking a new phase in her battle. She described her decision as a way to maintain her personality, saying she remained the fun, spunky person she had always been and simply rocked the bald look.

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, connected with Steinhauser’s story because she experienced the same hair loss during her own cancer treatment. Rogers noted that while many people tie their identity to their hair, the true center of who we are is our heart. She encouraged patients not to give up, echoing Steinhauser’s message of hope.

Steinhauser is now NED, or no evidence of disease. She tells patients that regardless of the current situation, there is always hope. Her advice is to keep fighting and to remember that the battle does not define the whole person.

The story highlights the personal impact of treatment side effects and the importance of community support during recovery. Steinhauser’s journey from diagnosis to recovery serves as a concrete example of resilience in the face of aggressive cancer.