Let’s be honest, hair loss caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy is much more devastating for female cancer patients than for male patients. After former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden revealed her triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis this past June, she knew there would come a time when this unfortunate reality of cancer treatment would present itself. Instead of covering her bald head under a wig, Lunden decided to take the opposite route and show off her baldness for the world to see on this coming Friday’s edition of People magazine.

"Robin (Lunden’s co-host on GMA) told me waiting for your hair to fall out is excruciating," Lunden told People. "So I didn't want to wait. I had to make this big decision about whether or not to do the cover with no hair. It certainly isn't the comfortable way to go, but I decided I was going to try and help others and show women that this isn't the end of the world. You can go on – and that was hugely empowering."

Triple-negative breast cancer is a subtype of breast cancer that does not respond to hormonal therapy or therapies that target HER2 receptors. This form of breast cancer represents 10 to 20 percent of diagnoses. Women who are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer are left with limited treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Lunden decided to cut her blonde hair a week after starting chemotherapy. In hopes of supporting women in a similar position, Lunden shares her journey with breast cancer on her blog JoanLunden.com.

"I could decide to do nothing, but that's certainly not my personality," Lunden added. "I was handed an opportunity to learn everything that I can about this and try to help others. I'm almost reluctant to say it because it sounds superficial. But when you lose your hair, it just affects the way that you look at yourself in the mirror. You feel less feminine, pretty or desirable, and it's not an easy thing to go through."