Cancer survivor left bald after treatment charts recovery

A brave hairdresser photographed her hair growing day by day for nearly a year after chemotherapy for breast cancer left her bald.Annmarie Bowen, 24, made an astonishing time-lapse film charting her progress after her course of chemotherapy ended and her hair started to grow again.It shows her going from completely bald to sporting a head of dark curly locks - and you can see her smiles growing day by day.Annmarie said: 'It’s hard to look back at how ill I was and how I was bald.'But recording my hair loss and experience with cancer was my way of getting some control back.'I wasn’t going to let it ruin my life. I wanted to build up my confidence by showing people how far I’ve come.'She was just 21 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and lost all her hair during the chemo treatment to save her life.After treatment she began to take the pictures that would form the two-minute video diary, containing of 150 pictures, taken every couple of days for nearly a year. The film starts with an image of Annmarie’s glossy brunette locks before her hair loss.Then the picture diary shows Annmarie’s recovery following the end of her chemotherapy treatment - finishing with her shiny dark hair as it is today.Doctors were amazed when Annmarie was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2011 as she was so young.She had always loved her hair and working as a stylist - but the gruelling chemotherapy treatment left her too weak to return to her 'dream job'.So she used her time off to rest and decided document her battle with cancer with the photo diary after her last session of chemotherapy.Annmarie said: 'I was exhausted through my cancer treatment.'I had no energy to think about work - let alone do any.'I also lost a lot of my self-worth along with my hair.'I was paranoid that people were staring at me wherever I went and it stopped me going out with my friends. But, of course, I realise that people were both caring and curious about how I was getting on.'So the photo diary was really good to build myself up and show people how I was progressing.'The photo journal begins with a heartbreaking image of Annmarie showing the full affect cancer has had on her appearance.A tiny patch of whispy hair is all that remains of the glossy brown hair she used to be so proud of.But as time goes on the colour returns to her cheeks and soon she's seem with a fashionable pixie crop.Then the final triumphant image shows Annmarie made up for a night out with a full head of dark bouncy curls.Annmarie, from Caerphilly, South Wales, said: 'I wanted other young women to know that breast cancer doesn’t just happen to mums and nans.'Sharing my story has helped me to come to terms with what I’ve been through.'It’s hard for me to look back and remember how tired and ill I felt but if I can help others with my experience then that can only be a good thing.'I’m still working on building my confidence, it’s been so difficult to get back to normal but my boyfriend Nathan has been amazing.'He’s been there for me all through the diagnosis and treatment too.'Annmarie was given the all-clear last year - and is focusing on her recovery before returning to work as a hairdresser.She said: 'Once I am totally well and fit to work I’d like a fresh start and a new challenge.'But now I am focusing on getting better and sharing my experience to hopefully help others.'Grete Brauten-Smith, a clinical nurse specialist for younger women at Breast Cancer Care said: 'Annmarie is one of around only 31 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer between the ages of 20 and 24 per year in the UK.'Often younger women who are diagnosed feel very isolated.'(dailymail.co.uk)ANN.Az