Episode 186 - It Doesn’t End When Treatment Ends - October Community Special
This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Sinéad for an honest conversation about the ongoing reality of menopause after cancer.We talk about what it’s like to navigate life after treatment — how our bodies and identities change, how frustrating it is to have to work so hard at everything (even when considering a simple supplement!), and why it’s so important for others to understand that this journey doesn’t just stop when the treatment ends.Sinéad also shares from her personal experience of cancer and trauma, and brings her coaching hat to offer some brilliant, practical tips on resilience.I have a feeling you’ll be nodding along as you listen.Sinead is a Transformational Coach and workplace Culture Consultant. For more information or to contact Sinead go to: https://www.abetter-workplace.com/To find our events and workshops go here: https://menopauseandcancer.org/events/Get a copy of Dani’s book to fins out about all your evidence-based treatment-options: https://amzn.eu/d/ddeS6ADEpisode Highlights: 00:00 Intro05:20 Cancer's Impact on Job and Confidence07:03 Adapting to Personal Change at Work12:57 Post-Cancer: Struggles Beyond Treatment14:47 Difficult Decision: Surgery and Miscarriage19:26 Questioning Resilience Vs. Overexertion25:47 Practicing Self-Compassion: A Journey30:30 Workplace Culture and Self-Compassion34:50 Adapting to Personal Change37:10 Resilience: Innate Trait or Learned Skill?Connect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub
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Episode 185 - What We Wish People Understood - October Community Special
October is a busy and often overwhelming month — with Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns everywhere and World Menopause Awareness Day on the calendar. For many in our community, it can be triggering, noisy, and emotionally exhausting.That’s why this month, I’m handing the microphone over to you — our incredible community. In this special episode, we share the things we wish our friends, families, workplaces, and the wider world really understood about navigating menopause after cancer.Joining me for this honest (and slightly unpredictable!) chat are Rachel, Anna, and Rebecca — each bringing their unique perspective, warmth, and a few friendly rants along the way.Episode Highlights:00:00 Intro04:50 Community Support and Awareness Initiatives09:19 Treatment Transition and New Challenges18:04 Balancing HRT with Healthy Lifestyle22:10 Balancing Emotions and Motivation25:50 "A Journey from Isolation to Insight"26:53 Prioritising Self-Care Amidst Busy Life31:20 "Realisation of Hidden Depression"33:50 Coping with Anxiety Post-Cancer40:23 Upcoming 50km Fundraising WalkIn this episode we talk about:Join us in London on the 4th October for PAUSE LIVE menopause show. Use code MANDC10 for 10% off your ticketsSupport our 50km fundraising challenge and sponsor us https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/searchJoin Anna for an online Community Connect meet-up: https://menopauseandcancer.org/events/Get a copy of Dani’s book to fins out about all your evidence-based treatment-options: https://amzn.eu/d/ddeS6ADConnect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub
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Episode 184 - How to Reset Your Nervous System After Cancer
In today’s episode, we’re exploring something that affects every single cancer survivor, yet often goes completely unspoken: the state of your nervous system, and how it might be silently shaping your menopause symptoms.I am joined once again by the brilliant Dr Louise Oliver, GP and certified breathing practitioner, whose insights on snoring, mouth breathing and menopause had a huge response when she first appeared on the podcast. This time, the focus shifts deeper — to the autonomic nervous system (ANS), how it’s impacted by the loss of oestrogen, and why your breathing patterns may be the key to finding better balance.Together they explore:The two branches of the autonomic nervous system — and why so many survivors feel stuck in "fight or flight"Why oestrogen affects breathing efficiency — and what happens when it’s suddenly removed through treatmentHow disrupted breathing might worsen hot flushes, anxiety, night sweats, gut issues, and poor sleepMost importantly, what you can do to feel betterEpisode Highlights:00:00 Intro09:06 Chronic Anxiety and Sympathetic Nervous System12:45 Stress Response and Physical Discomfort14:09 Balancing Autonomic Nervous System26:29 "Check Your Breathing Habits"29:43 Breathing TechniquesMissed our first episode with Dr Louise Oliver?Listen to: Ep 132 – Does the Way You Breathe Make Your Menopause Symptoms Worse? https://podfollow.com/the-menopause-and-cancer-podcast Get your copy of Navigating Menopause After Cancer: https://amzn.eu/d/6HTJ4hU Information from Dr. Oliver: https://www.drlouiseolivertherapeuticlifecoaching.com/post/stress-menopause - Great diagram of the menopausal autonomic nervous system dysfunction model in this blog.https://www.drlouiseolivertherapeuticlifecoaching.com/post/health-and-well-being-jigsaw-puzzleLearn more about our work: menopauseandcancer.orgConnect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub
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Episode 183 - Pen, Paper, Power: Writing Your Way Through Menopause After Cancer
The menopause transition after cancer can feel overwhelming — it’s hard to know what to do next, how to process it all, or even where to start. This episode offers a gentle, creative way in.Rory Green shares her own story as a cancer survivor, writer and psychotherapist, navigating menopause, and how writing became a powerful outlet for healing, release, and self-discovery. Rory runs transforative Write To Be You workshops and today, she tells us how we could all make a start to tap into the healing powers of putting pen to paper.We talk about:Why writing is more than just words on a pageHow journaling supports emotional wellbeing after treatmentThe magic of small, honest momentsTips for anyone wanting to start (or restart) writing for themselvesEpisode Highlights:00:00 Intro03:36 "Tyranny of the Red Pen"09:57 Creating a Safe, Warm Haven15:49 Guided Imagination Journey Experience21:06 Healing Space for Women28:04 Feelback: Emotional Response Sharing31:52 "Intentional Journaling Practice"35:42 Returning to Self Through Connection37:29 "Creating Safe Spaces for Truth"40:16 "Invitation to Self-Expression"Here’s more info on Rory and her beautiful work: https://www.writetobeyou.com/Buy my book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Navigating-Menopause-After-Cancer-comprehensive/dp/1068499907Connect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub
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Episode 182 - Bladder Health After Cancer: What’s Normal and What’s Not
In this episode of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast, we’re joined by Dr Carys Sonnenberg — GP, menopause specialist, and women’s health expert — for a practical, empowering workshop all about bladder health.We ask the questions many of us wonder but rarely say out loud:What’s normal when it comes to bladder habits?How often is too often to wee?Urinary tract infections and treatmentsProlapse and what helpsDr Carys breaks it all down for us — from understanding how cancer treatment, menopause, and pelvic floor changes can affect bladder function, to simple and effective things you can do to feel more confident and in control.We also explore what can help, including:Pelvic floor exercisesLifestyle strategiesHormone-free treatmentsMedications that may be suitable for cancer survivorsEpisode Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:04 Understanding Bladder Health Issues07:24 Discussing Sensitive Health Symptoms12:27 Pelvic Floor and Bladder Health15:10 Urinary Health and Hygiene Tips19:11 Managing Acute & Recurrent UTIs21:34 Managing Recurrent Urine Infections24:54 Managing Bladder Urges & Incontinence33:20 Individualised Pelvic Floor Treatment34:59 Cancer, Intimacy, and Body Image44:46 Pelvic Floor Exercise Misconceptions50:01 Overcoming Pelvic Floor ChallengesBuy my book here: Navigating Menopause After Cancer: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Navigating-Menopause-After-Cancer-comprehensive/dp/1068499907You can find Dr Sonnenberg here https://rowenahealth.co.uk/These are resources Dr Sonnenberg mentions: https://thepogp.co.uk/resources/booklets/https://squeezyapp.com/ Connect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub
Has cancer treatment led you to early menopause? Do you feel confused about your options? This podcast hosts conversations with cancer patients, survivors and medical professionals to learn about treatments available for women with a cancer diagnosis.
I’m Dani Binnington, after breast cancer, surgery to remove my ovaries led me to early menopause, I had no idea what my treatment options were and who in my medical team could help me figure out what to do about my symptoms. I felt alone and unsupported. It took me so long to discover I had lots of options too.
If only I’d known sooner!
Everything I wish I’d known back then is inside these conversations - so you can make the right choices now.
These episodes are a good place to start:
1. Rethinking Tamoxifen & Aromatase Inhibitors
2. Why I decided to take HRT after an oestrogen driven cancer
2. Alcohol & Me
Menopause and cancer is also a thriving community online and in real life.
Join the Facebook community to connect with women going through the same thing you are: https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub
Ireland