CLIFTON PARK — The impetus behind Lara DiCaprio’s work with the “Look Good  …  Feel Better” women’s cancer program wasn’t inspired by personal experience.

No family members or close friends had ever confronted the illness; thunderbolts weren’t raining down with some celestial message.

Fate found DiCaprio through the U.S. Postal Service.

“I decided one day that I wanted to get involved and do something for others. It was the strangest thing. A week or two later, I got a letter asking for volunteers,” the Clifton Park cosmetologist and hairstylist said.

The letter asked if she’d be willing to volunteer some time to the American Cancer Society’s Look Good …   Feel Better program, a class that, at present, meets every other month and teaches cancer patients about makeup and skin care and offers tips about styling and wearing wigs to women who have lost their hair as the result of chemotherapy.

“Even though it hasn’t affected my family personally, it amazes me how many women are affected by cancer,” DiCaprio, 37, said.

One of her first personal encounters with the disease came a few years ago when she started visiting the home of one of her customers after the woman became too sick to visit Lara Marie’s, DiCaprio’s former hair salon in Rexford.

“You get close to your clients,” said DiCaprio, who now works at Changes salon in Latham.

The Look Good program was founded in 1989 as a way to help women gain control over the side-effects of cancer, which can include hair loss, dry skin and brittle nails.

Many women who attend the 90-minute classes come in “pretty closed up and overwhelmed” from their diagnoses and the accompanying treatments, said Tracey Pitcher, director of patient and family services for the cancer society’s Loudonville-based offices.

After attending a class with DiCaprio, most of the women are feeling better about themselves. They realize they’re not alone and reach out to others going through similar situations.

Participants learn quick and easy makeup tips to enhance their appearance and disguise hair loss, using wigs, turbans, scarves and other accessories. Each participant receives a complimentary makeup kit worth about $25 .

“By the end [of the class], the wigs come off, the makeup comes off, and they’re exchanging phone numbers,” Pitcher said.

Cassandra Clayton attended one of DiCaprio’s classes a few weeks ago. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 that has since spread to her bones. The Albany woman is on her third round of chemotherapy. The treatments often leave her tired, sick, homebound and despondent.

DiCaprio’s class and others like them are held at Gilda’s Club in Latham. Clayton, who turned 54 Sunday, said she attends as many of the classes as possible because the benefits are innumerable.

“I had a ball,” she said of DiCaprio’s most recent cosmetology class.

Clayton, who describes herself as “bald as a little chicken right now,” knew little about skin care and cosmetics before participating in DiCaprio’s most recent session.

“It was wonderful. I’m a tomboy by nature, and I was taught how to do makeup,” she said.

DiCaprio generally sees the women in her classes only once.

“When they’re with me, they don’t have to think about the disease. By the time they leave, they’re smiling. I love helping them feel a little better,” she said.

Encouraged by their attitudes, DiCaprio said her experience with the women has taught her that life can throw anything her way.

“When you see how they handle their situations, you’re encouraged,” she said.

Information on the American Cancer Society’s Look Good … Feel Better program is available by calling 1-800-227-2345 or visiting www.cancer.org.