Why Cancer Survivors Don't Feel “Normal” Again

Why Cancer Survivors Don't Feel “Normal” Again

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/ You rang the bell. Your chemotherapy is over. Your scans are clear. Everyone tells you to celebrate. So why do so many cancer survivors feel anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted and completely unprepared for what comes next? In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Dr. Shauna Watts sits down again with oncologist Dr. Ranjana Srivastava to explore the often-overlooked reality of life after cancer treatment. Together they discuss why many patients struggle most after treatment ends, the emotional weight of survivorship, persistent brain fog, fear of recurrence, body image, relationships, intimacy, quality of life, and why cancer care should never stop when chemotherapy does. This episode is an honest conversation about recovery, resilience and treating the whole person, not just the disease. Whether you're a cancer survivor, supporting someone through recovery, or you're a healthcare professional, this conversation offers practical advice, reassurance and hope. In this episode you'll learn: ➡️ Why many cancer survivors struggle after treatment ends ➡️ How fear of cancer recurrence affects daily life ➡️ The truth about chemotherapy brain fog and cognitive changes ➡️ Why quality of life should be part of every treatment decision ➡️ How hormone therapies can impact physical and emotional wellbeing ➡️ Why patients should never feel guilty about discussing side effects ➡️ How relationships, intimacy and body image change after cancer ➡️ The role of exercise, nutrition and rehabilitation during recovery ➡️ Why every cancer patient deserves personalised care Cancer treatment may end, but healing takes much longer. This episode reminds us that recovery is about far more than surviving. It's about rebuilding a life worth living. If this conversation helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it. ------------- Follow Dr. Ranjana Shrivastava https://ranjanasrivastava.com/ https://au.linkedin.com/in/dr-ranjana-srivastava-oam-1401681b2 ------------- Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social: Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247 Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. ----------------- Chapters 01:07 Why life after cancer can be the hardest stage 03:18 Feeling abandoned after chemotherapy ends 05:18 Body image, relationships and life after cancer 08:02 Brain fog after chemotherapy explained 13:49 Why patients shouldn't suffer in silence 16:52 Cancer survivors don't have to be grateful all the time 20:18 Understanding treatment risks and quality of life 23:20 Scan anxiety and living with uncertainty 31:07 Why doctors avoid saying "you're cured" 35:10 The hidden mental health struggles after cancer 37:52 Intimacy, relationships and sexual health after treatment 42:00 Exercise, nutrition and recovery after cancer 46:07 Building the ideal cancer support team 50:29 Three lessons every cancer survivor should hear ----------------- Keywords Life After Cancer Cancer Recovery Cancer Survivorship Cancer Survivor Support Life After Chemotherapy Recovering From Cancer Cancer Recovery Journey Fear of Cancer Recurrence Scanxiety Chemo Brain Brain Fog After Chemotherapy Emotional Recovery After Cancer Mental Health After Cancer Quality of Life After Cancer Breast Cancer Recovery Cancer Rehabilitation Cancer Treatment Side Effects Life After Cancer Treatment Cancer Patient Support Cancer Survivor Journey

Menopause is Causing Your Joint Pain | Here's What to Do

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/ If you're a woman over 35, this may be one of the most important conversations you'll ever hear. Orthopedic surgeon and longevity expert Dr. Vonda Wright joins Dr. Shauna Watts to explain why menopause affects far more than hot flushes. From muscle loss and osteoporosis to joint pain, heart health and cognitive decline, declining estrogen impacts nearly every system in the body. Dr. Wright shares the science behind why women become frail as they age, why strength training is one of the most powerful forms of medicine, and how hormone therapy may help protect long-term health when used appropriately. Whether you're approaching perimenopause, already post-menopausal, or simply want to age stronger, this episode is packed with practical, evidence-based advice that could change the way you think about your future. In this episode we discuss: ➡️ The connection between menopause and joint pain ➡️Frozen shoulder and musculoskeletal syndrome explained ➡️How menopause accelerates bone and muscle loss ➡️Osteoporosis, osteopenia and why fractures become so dangerous ➡️The role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) ➡️Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone explained ➡️Why protein becomes essential during menopause ➡️Anti-inflammatory nutrition for healthy aging ➡️Supplements for bone health, including vitamin D and calcium ➡️How to reduce your risk of frailty and maintain independence as you age One of Dr. Wright's most powerful messages is that frailty isn't an inevitable part of aging. With the right knowledge and daily habits, women can build stronger bones, preserve muscle, protect their health and dramatically improve their quality of life. If this episode helped you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a woman who needs to hear this conversation. Follow Dr. Vonda Wright https://www.drvondawright.com/ https://www.instagram.com/drvondawright/?hl=en https://fl.hughston.com/providers/wright/ https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright ------------- Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social: Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247 Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. ----------------- Chapters 00:00 Why Women Become Frail 02:13 Meet Dr. Vonda Wright 05:23 Why Menopause Causes Joint Pain 09:32 Making Your Estrogen Decision 13:21 Estrogen, Progesterone & Testosterone Explained 16:34 Building Muscle During Menopause 19:22 The Best Exercise Plan After 40 26:11 Weighted Vests & Bone Health 27:02 When Should You Get a DEXA Scan? 31:13 Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed? 33:22 Calcium, Vitamin D & Supplements 35:22 Changing the Way Doctors Treat Menopause 39:10 The Most Important Message for Women 42:09 Advice to Her Younger Self ----------------- Keywords menopause perimenopause Dr Vonda Wright menopause symptoms hormone replacement therapy HRT estrogen bone health osteoporosis muscle loss strength training for women menopause fitness longevity women's health healthy aging frozen shoulder menopause menopause joint pain osteopenia bone density DEXA scan sarcopenia menopause exercise anti-inflammatory diet protein intake for women testosterone for women progesterone healthy aging for women preventing frailty women's longevity menopause doctor

The Things People Regret Most Before They Die | Dr. Ranjana Srivastava

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/ What if the most important conversations at the end of life aren't about treatment, but about relationships, regrets, and the things we never say out loud? Death is something every one of us will face, yet it's one of the subjects we talk about the least. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Shauna Watts sits down with oncologist, author, and award-winning writer Dr. Ranjana Srivastava to explore what really happens when people approach the end of life. Together they unpack the difficult conversations families often avoid, the pressure many patients feel to keep pursuing treatment, and what a “better death” might actually look like. Drawing on decades of experience caring for people with advanced cancer, Dr. Ranjana shares the lessons she's learned from patients and families navigating some of life's hardest moments. This is a conversation about honesty, dignity, compassion, and the human side of medicine. In this episode: ➡️Why death and dying remain difficult topics in modern healthcare ➡️The cultural differences that shape how we talk about mortality ➡️Why many families avoid conversations about prognosis ➡️The hidden pressure patients feel to keep "fighting" ➡️The problem with warrior language around cancer ➡️How treatment can sometimes come at the cost of quality of life ➡️Understanding "time toxicity" and why it matters ➡️What palliative care really is and why it should start earlier ➡️The role of psychology and emotional support during serious illness ➡️The regrets dying patients most commonly express ➡️Practical advice for patients, families, and caregivers navigating end-of-life care Dr. Ranjana's insights are compassionate, deeply human, and an important reminder that a good death is not about giving up hope. It's about understanding what matters most and making space for the conversations that truly count. If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who may benefit from hearing it. Because sometimes the most meaningful conversations are the ones we've been avoiding. ------------- Follow Dr. Ranjana Shrivastava https://ranjanasrivastava.com/ https://au.linkedin.com/in/dr-ranjana-srivastava-oam-1401681b2 ------------- Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social: Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247 Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.- ---------------- Chapters 01:08 - Why We Need to Talk About Death More Openly 05:25 - Cultural Lessons on Death, Dying & Acceptance 10:55 - The Conversations Families Avoid Most 14:06 - When Treatment Delays End-of-Life Planning 19:34 - The Hidden Cost of Cancer: Time Toxicity 21:05 - Why Cancer Isn't a Battle to Win or Lose 24:25 - Should Families Tell Loved Ones They're Dying? 30:02 - Why Patients Often Don't Hear the Full Story 33:14 - The Missing Mental Health Support in Cancer Care 36:30 - What People Fear Most About Dying 38:19 - Why Palliative Care Should Start Earlier 43:26 - The Biggest Regrets People Have at the End of Life 46:16 - What Makes a Better Death? ----------------- Keywords death and dying palliative care end of life care cancer treatment decisions terminal illness grief and loss hospice care advance care planning difficult conversations Oncology Dr Ranjana Shrivastava better death family communication cancer support quality of life end of life decisions dying with dignity patient advocacy caregiver support Mortality healthcare communication

The Midlife Health Checks Every Woman Should Ask For

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/If you listened to our recent conversation on iron deficiency, this episode is the perfect follow-up.Many women assume symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, low mood, poor sleep and declining energy are simply part of perimenopause. But vitamin D and B12 deficiencies can create remarkably similar symptoms and are often overlooked in the process.In this episode of "All About You", Dr. Shauna Watts sit down with GP and women's health clinician Dr. Ebony Tosch to unpack two of the most common deficiencies we see in midlife women. They discuss why these deficiencies are so common, how they affect everything from mood and cognition to bone health, what optimal levels actually look like, and when supplements or injections may be necessary.They also explore the connection between vitamin D, magnesium and bone density, why B12 absorption becomes more challenging for some women, and the important blood tests worth discussing with your doctor. If you've ever been told your results are "normal" but you still don't feel like yourself, this conversation may help you uncover an important missing piece of the puzzle.In this episode, they discuss:➡️ Why vitamin D deficiency is common even in sunny climates➡️ The role vitamin D plays in mood, immunity and bone health➡️ Normal versus optimal vitamin D levels➡️ The connection between vitamin D, magnesium and K2➡️ When bone density scans should be considered➡️ Common causes of vitamin B12 deficiency➡️ Symptoms of low B12, including fatigue and neurological changes➡️ The difference between oral supplements and B12 injections➡️ How medications can affect B12 absorption➡️ Why nutritional deficiencies are often mistaken for hormonal symptoms➡️ The blood tests every woman should understand in midlife➡️ How to advocate for yourself when seeking answers➡️ Perimenopause is only one part of the picture. Sometimes the symptoms you're experiencing have a different cause and, importantly, a different solution.If this episode helped you better understand your health, follow the podcast and share it with a woman who needs to hear this conversation.—------------Follow Dr. Ebony Toschhttps://www.healthhunter.au/practitioners/dr-ebony-toshhttps://www.drebonytosch.com/about-------------Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.-----------------Chapters00:00 - Why Vitamin D & B12 Deficiencies Are So Common01:21 - Symptoms Often Mistaken for Perimenopause03:23 - Why Vitamin D Deficiency Happens Even in Sunny Countries05:31 - Normal vs Optimal Vitamin D Levels Explained06:56 - Do You Need Calcium With Vitamin D?08:14 - Best Vitamin D Supplements: D3, Dosage & Absorption11:08 - The Vitamin D, Magnesium & K2 Connection15:21 - Bone Density Scans: Why Women Should Test Earlier20:21 - Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms Every Woman Should Know22:02 - Foods Rich in Vitamin B1223:28 - Causes of Low B12: Gut Health, Alcohol & Absorption Issues26:23 - When B12 Injections Work Better Than Supplements32:05 - The Blood Tests Midlife Women Should Ask For --------Keywordsvitamin D deficiency symptomsvitamin B12 deficiency symptomsperimenopause fatiguebrain fog in menopausevitamin D and menopauseB12 deficiency in womenwomen's health podcastmenopause symptomsosteoporosis preventionbone density scanvitamin D supplementsvitamin B12 injectionsmidlife women's healthmenopause and nutrition

What Doctors MISS About Women 10+ Years After Menopause

Everyone is talking about perimenopause. But what about the millions of women who went through menopause years ago, before hormone therapy was widely understood, before the conversation changed, and before anyone told them they didn't have to simply suffer through it? In this solo episode, Dr. Shauna Watts speaks directly to women in their 50s, 60s and beyond who have quietly accepted fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, poor sleep, low libido, bladder issues and a declining sense of wellbeing as an inevitable part of getting older. Dr. Shauna unpacks the critical role estrogen plays far beyond reproduction, explaining how it influences brain function, metabolism, sleep, bone health, cardiovascular health and quality of life. She also explores the lasting impact of the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study, why so many women remain fearful of HRT, and what the latest evidence actually says about modern body-identical hormone therapy. If you've ever been told your symptoms are "normal for your age," this conversation may completely change the way you think about menopause, aging and your future health. In this episode: • Why so many post-menopausal women have stopped expecting to feel well • The symptoms often blamed on aging that may be linked to estrogen deficiency • How estrogen impacts the brain, metabolism, sleep, bones and heart • The surprising role of FSH and what it may reveal about long-term health • What really happened after the Women's Health Initiative study • The difference between older synthetic hormones and modern body-identical HRT • Understanding breast cancer risk and hormone therapy • Why the risks of untreated estrogen deficiency deserve more attention • Essential health assessments to consider after menopause • Vaginal estrogen, testosterone and other treatment options women should know about • Why it's never too late to have an informed conversation about your health If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman who may have spent years believing she simply had to put up with how she feels. Subscribe to All About You so you never miss future conversations designed to help women make informed decisions about their health, hormones and wellbeing. ------------- Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social: Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts  https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247 Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. ----------------- Chapters 00:00 - Why Post-Menopause Women Are Being Left Behind 01:01 - Have You Stopped Expecting to Feel Well? 03:02 - The Symptoms Women Keep Blaming on Aging 05:17 - What If We Got Menopause Completely Wrong? 06:09 - The Critical Role Estrogen Plays Beyond Reproduction 08:22 - The Hidden Cost of Long-Term Estrogen Deficiency 10:31 - Why Your Brain Never Stopped Asking for Estrogen 12:29 - Is Menopause a Natural Process We Should Treat? 13:48 - The Breast Cancer Fear Keeping Women from HRT 15:14 - Modern HRT vs The 2002 Hormone Study 17:26 - Understanding the Real Risks and Benefits of HRT 19:20 - The Essential Health Checks Every Post-Menopausal Woman Needs 21:22 - It's Not Too Late to Feel Like Yourself Again ----------------- Keywords post menopause symptoms postmenopause health hormone replacement therapy HRT after menopause estrogen deficiency menopause symptoms after 60 women's health over 50 brain fog menopause sleep problems menopause vaginal atrophy hot flushes after menopause body identical hormones menopause weight gain osteoporosis prevention women estrogen and brain health women's health podcast Dr Shauna Watts menopause treatment options menopause and aging women over 50 health