For more than a decade Petra Karl has been fitting and styling wigs for women who have experienced hair loss as a side-effect of cancer treatment. Gradual or dramatic hair loss is a confronting side-effect for many women and the emotional impact can significantly impact on the wellbeing of patients.

According to Petra, the positive impact of the hospital's wig service is an integral part of the patient's cancer treatment journey and has aided thousands of women since its inception.

"We all don't like losing our hair, we all don't like losing our eyebrows and eyelashes," Petra explained.

"You do look a bit like an alien when you lose everything. You can get turbans and hats but wigs help a woman to blend back into her community.

"Turbans can scream, 'look I've got cancer' or 'I'm not well' but with a wig, well they look so natural that you often cannot pick the person is fighting cancer."

The wig service works in tandem with the national 'Look Good, Feel Better' program and with knowledge on how to do make-up during treatment, Petra says "the wig just gives them that finishing touch, so that when they look in the mirror they see themselves again."

After a decade of supporting the wig service with her skills, Petra is keen to step back from the role and hand-over to some young hairdressers. She is hoping a few hairdressers will commit to giving their time.

Petra says it is an important role as you work with people who are vulnerable and she is hoping her appeal will enable the service to be supported by a team of hairdressers.

Currently Petra sees patients fortnightly and during that time she assists them to select a wig and find the correct fit and colour. She then places an order with Wig Affair and once the new wig arrives, it is styled for the patient.

"It's an easy job and a hairdresser won't have any problem doing it," Petra explained. "We need volunteers to commit to it as it's such an important role."

"The rewards are amazing. It's such a nice feeling to be able to see the impact of a wig on the wellbeing of a woman fighting cancer."

Manning Hospital nursing unit manager of oncology and palliative care services, Sue Arber says the hospital is looking for the support of a few hairdressers with one volunteer to take-on the role of service co-ordinator.

She says access to the service forms part of the patient education program when they are first told about the treatment.

"The wigs impact on the patients very positively. The patients are not so self-conscious or embarrassed about how they look and it certainly helps them not to feel awkward or embarrassed about their changing appearance," Sue explained.

Sue says the service and wig comes at no cost to the patient as the wigs are funded by donations and Petra provides her skills and time at no charge.

"We are looking for a group of hairdressers so that access is more readily available to our patients," Sue said.

"At the moment patients can only access Petra once every two weeks. We want someone to be available more readily during the week and we feel that would be best served by having a team of hairdressers supporting the service."

Sue says the wig service operates within hospital grounds as most patients don't like to go out in a public area to get a wig fitted during their treatment.

"Everything you need is here and I will be helping during the transition," Petra explained. "It would be lovely to get a great team."

For further information contact Sue at Manning Hospital on 6592 9318.