Co-ordinators at the new Wig Library, opened on Friday, are hoping to help these women by providing wigs and hats for rent.

Frances Kinghorne, a breast cancer survivor, said wigs provide an important sense of normality to women whose lives have been upended.

‘’I think it’s important because losing your hair when you go through treatment is such a big deal for a lady and if you can get something that can make you look a bit more normal you can function a bit more normally,’’ Ms Kinghorne said.

“Your whole goal when you’re going through cancer treatment is to try and keep your life as normal as possible which is hard enough when you’re going off to chemo and radiation and surgery and that sort of thing.’’

The library stocks over 60 wigs, as well as hats, which they rent for $35 each.

Ms Kinghorne said providing them affordably is an important part of supporting the women.

“Some people are just struggling with the physicality of [cancer]... they couldn’t afford it,’’ she said. 

“It’s expensive ... and sometimes they’re not well enough to work so they’re losing income. My wigs were $500 each I think.’’

McGrath Foundation breast care nurse Sue Kuter hopes it will help women avoid the stigma of being a cancer patient.

“As soon as you tell them they’re about to lose their hair they get very upset because it labels you as a cancer patient,’’ Mrs Kuter said. 

“Vicky’s job is to make them feel fantastic and look fantastic and it doesn’t cost them much money which is the idea of it. Treatments, time off work and looking after your family all cost money. 

“With our library they can have [the wig] as long as they like and they can give it back when their hair has grown back and they’re comfortable with how they look.’’

Ms Kinghorne said that much of the library was made possible through donations from the community.

“There’s very little of this that’s been bought, so much has been donated,’’ Ms Kinghorne said. 

“It’s really nice, it just makes you really proud to live in Orange.’’