A cancer patient from Antalya, aged 55, experienced an unexpected change during his treatment journey. Cemil Çiçek’s predominantly white hair and beard turned black due to a smart drug’s side effects.
Çiçek’s cancer treatment began with surgery to remove a cancerous part of his intestine, followed by chemotherapy. Alongside, he received a smart drug, causing him to lose his hair, beard, and body hair.
After completing his treatment, Çiçek noticed his hair and beard growing back darker. Perplexed by this transformation, he consulted Dr. Mustafa Karaca from Akdeniz University, who attributed the change to the smart drug’s effects.
Dr. Karaca explained that smart drugs, which have revolutionized cancer treatment, work by targeting cancer cells specifically based on their genetic mutations. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which harms both healthy and cancerous cells, smart drugs are more precise.
These drugs are used to treat over 30 types of cancer, including breast, lung, colon, and skin cancers. However, despite their precision, they can cause unusual side effects. Dr. Karaca mentioned that while chemotherapy often causes hair loss, smart drugs can sometimes lead to changes in hair characteristics.
For example, some patients may find their straight hair growing back curly, or their youthful black hair turning white prematurely. In Çiçek’s case, the opposite occurred, with his white hair turning black.
