In this episode, Andrea Martin, a women’s health nurse practitioner helps us to take the sexual health chat to the next level. Why you really need to know about clitoral adhesions, these are like scar tissue that forms around the clitoris. Our host Dani had never heard of this before and we have spoken a lot about sexual health on our episodes here! We also talk about medical options to help with low libido. YES they exist! We had no idea! Options available like Flibanserin (Addyi),...

A huge thank you to our partners Oxford Hormone Clinic for helping us get this episode out to all of you! Their support means so much to us. All their details are in the show notes below.  Ever wondered if collagen is safe for you?  There is a lot of talk about collagen out there and some people say it really helps them with their skin, joints and even energy levels. And then we hear stories of concern as collagen has been linked to cancer.  In today’s episode, I am joined by Dr. Nina Fuller...

Episode 100 is a special celebration, and this time, it's all about you! We're flipping the script, as Dani takes a turn in the hot seat and gets interviewed by one of the remarkable women who work tirelessly to bring this show to you every week. Tune in for heartfelt messages from our community, candid discussions about the podcast's behind-the-scenes, and reflections on what it means for us to reach this milestone together. If you’re thinking of doing your own podcast, I’d say DO IT! You...

Finding our silver linings can be tough when we are navigating menopause after cancer, and it involves acknowledging the existence of challenges or hardships while actively seeking and appreciating the positive aspects that may arise from those experiences.  Today, on the show I am inviting my husband Tim to talk to us and we will remember our silver linings in all those years of navigating cancer survivorship. We had so many positive experiences happen to us because of cancer, even though...

What role does genomic testing play in promoting better health? While many are familiar with genetic tests like the BRCA mutation test, there's a growing trend towards testing for overall health improvement and personalisation of care. However, the question arises: is this approach advisable? Online services now offer tests where individuals swab the inside of their cheeks, but what happens next with the results? The surge in glucose testing is notable, but discussions increasingly focus on...

We're thrilled to have Ursula join us to share her remarkable story. In our conversation, we delve into topics like peri-menopause, cancer, and the use of testosterone-only therapy for individuals with oestrogen-positive cancer. Each of us embarks on a unique journey, especially in post-treatment and menopausal survivorship care, where experiences vary despite similar diagnoses and treatments. Our follow-up care, access to healthcare professionals, worries, and desires differ, shaping...

Sexual health after a cancer diagnosis is complex and it’s not enough to purely address our physical symptoms. The brilliant medical oncologist Dr. Laila Agrawal from the US, joins us for this episode where we embark on understanding the complexity of emotional, physical and social changes that affect our sex lives. And of course, we talk about what your options are and why we need to create the book club we never knew we needed!  We talk:  Zero libido Body confidence How to treat...

Do you also have that picture in your mind that hypnotherapy is people behaving like chickens? Yep! Me too! So, I want to find out how hypnotherapy can benefit a cancer survivor's life when menopause has added a layer of insult to your experience. I am delighted to welcome Debbie Pugh onto the show. Debbie is a hypnotherapist and master coach and has much wisdom and healing to offer. This episode talks about the benefits of hypnotherapy but also addresses healing as a non-linear...

In today’s episode our guest Sarah Marsh, expert women’s health physio for cancer patients, is telling us her number 1 top tip in how you can support your pelvic health and pelvic floor.  And NO - it’s not all squeeze squeeze squeeze! Sarah tells us about the important role a women’s health therapist plays in assessing and treating conditions related to the pelvis and pelvic floor in women. We talk about what you can do and where you can get help. This is not only an informative episode, but...

We are thrilled to engage in a conversation with the remarkable breast oncologist, Dr Elizabeth Comen, hailing from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the US. Our focus is on unravelling the intricate history of women's hormones, as we embark on a journey to comprehend the missteps along the way. “The history of women’s healthcare is a story in which women themselves have too often been voiceless—a narrative instead written from the perspective of men who styled themselves as...

In today's episode, our goal is to help you understand the full spectrum of treatment options available, including guideline-supported non-pharmaceutical therapies, for holistic menopause care following cancer. Dr. Shelley Latte is a faculty member of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, where they research and apply evidence-based complementary treatments to support cancer patients and survivors.  As the director of mind-body medicine, Shelley is...

The combination of hormonal changes, metabolic alterations, muscle loss, fatigue, emotional factors, and medication side effects can make weight loss a significant challenge for women in menopause after cancer treatment. It can feel so depressing when after everything you have been through, the weight is piling on despite your best efforts. In today’s episode, the brilliant registered dietician Nigel Denby will talk us through the truth about weight loss. We will bust some common myths and...

Most of the time when you look for information about which herbal supplements might be useful in helping with symptoms for menopause after cancer, the advice is “Caution - there might be contraindications”! Additionally, 100% of all the people who responded to our survey on social media said they were worried about contraindications and the safety of herbal supplements.  In today's conversation, we want to find out what is safe and what is not safe for those affected by cancer. Turmeric,...

Are you curious about reclaiming control while navigating menopause post-cancer? Tune into this insightful conversation for guidance on getting started.  Ria Ingleby is a cancer survivor and senior leadership coach, qualified holistic health coach and a trained mindfulness meditation and yoga teacher and she is here to share with us how you can start to figure out what your next steps to recovery and healing could be.  Ria also shares with us what it’s like to navigate a less common cancer,...

If you want to change your drinking behaviour or not - this is a must-listen! You’ll learn a lot about yourself - for sure! Have you thought that you should drink less alcohol? Are people around you talking about doing dry January? Are you worried about the risks of alcohol and cancer? Maybe you don’t drink much but feel guilty even if you have a glass or two. And of course, the social impact is huge! It’s not easy to turn up to parties just sipping away on a bit of sparkling water -...

Consultant oncologist Dr Nabil Elmahdawi shares with us his number 1 top tip in how he thinks we could all improve our menopause experience post-cancer.  We are the change makers in our menopause movement - we have to work together, doctors, patients and healthcare providers.  I promise you will be able to make this a more supported, better informed and positive experience for ourselves and others.  Right at the end I am sharing a poem and I want to share it with you here as well: You my...

There are so many conversations about the benefits of fasting - but what does that mean for someone after cancer? Is there any data to support that fasting has a benefit on someone’s overall health, menopausal symptoms or even better, cancer survival rates? In today’s episode, I speak to cancer survivor, nutritional scientist and integrative oncology practitioner Toral Shah. Toral will dive deep into the understanding of metabolic health, insulin resistance and how that links us back to...

Your actions and your daily habits are immensely powerful. Let’s talk about avoiding triggers, getting to know ourselves a little better, and the role of diet and exercise. I am not going to tell you how and what to eat or how to move, instead, we are going to explore what new micro-changes you can make to get the benefit we seek. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Intro. 06:50 Identifying stress triggers and developing routines to reduce anxiety. 10:10 Consistency with exercise is important for...

Considering complementary therapies can provide additional support and relief. Complementary therapies encompass a range of approaches such as acupuncture, yoga, herbal remedies, and mindfulness techniques, among others. These therapies aim to alleviate menopausal symptoms and improve overall well-being. For many cancer survivors, traditional medical interventions might not address all aspects of menopause-related issues. Complementary therapies offer holistic approaches that focus on...

Let’s get this straight. It is important to know exactly if hormone replacement therapy is an option for you and if not, then why not. Furthermore, we need to make a clear distinction between systemic HRT and local oestrogen therapy. It is important that all cancer patients understand their options and talk to their doctors about their symptoms. Below are the links about the safety of vaginal oestrogen that you can share with your healthcare provider: Article "A systematic review of...

Just because your doctor might have advised you that hormone replacement therapy might not be an option for you, this does not mean your doctor won't be able to prescribe you other medications that can help.  Here is your summary of non-hormonal prescription options for managing menopause symptoms after cancer treatment which includes a variety of medications such as gabapentin, pregabalin, clonidine, oxybutynin and antidepressants like SSRIs, and SNRIs, which can help alleviate symptoms like...

Managing menopause after cancer needs a multi-faceted two-pronged approach. With that, I mean that most likely doing one thing alone won’t be enough and that we need to be proactive ourselves AND have the support from our medical team. I see the best results when women apply these strategies.  So let’s look at who that medical team is for you, how an open mindset is going to give you the best outcome and why you really must find a community with shared experiences. Episode Highlights: 00:00...

Welcome to the first episode of our menopause after cancer crash course! I want to sum up all the treatment options available to you in bite-sized videos so that they can give you an overview right at the beginning of the year. We will then invite lots of experts to help dive deeper int many of the topics - but an overview is helpful in knowing that we have many options! Before we start looking at solutions, we have to look at where we are at. What are your current symptoms? Join me for this...

Over the past few years, I have worked with countless women who are also navigating menopause as a result of their cancer treatment or who have fewer treatment options for their menopausal symptoms because of the type of cancer they have had. And I’ve seen hundreds make the same mistakes over and over again. So I want to share them with you right at the start of 2024 so you don’t have to waste your precious energy! Let this episode be thought-provoking and explore what resonates for you. The...