The Menopause and Cancer Podcast

“I don’t have time.” “I can’t switch my brain off.” “I’ve tried it before - it didn’t work.” Sound familiar? In todays episode, Dani explores how easy it is to not try breathwork or meditation when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or just fed up. But here’s the truth: these simple tools can make a real difference, especially for people navigating menopause after cancer. In this solo episode, Dani reads a little from her book, shares a short poem, and introduces our new Wellbeing Series on YouTube — guided meditations and mindfulness practices designed to help you actually start. No pressure. No perfection. Just a moment to breathe. Watch the Wellbeing Series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MenopauseandCancer?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@MenopauseandCancer?sub_confirmation=1] Navigating Menopause After Cancer: https://amzn.eu/d/2y957Oy [https://amzn.eu/d/2y957Oy]  Episode Highlights: 00:00 "Intro 04:44 "Wellbeing Series for Our Community" 07:33 Practical Meditation for Everyday Life 11:21 Prioritising Self-Care Through Planning 13:51 "Mindfulness Benefits for Women" 18:24 "Embracing Imperfection in Meditation" 22:44 "Self-Care Series on YouTube" 24:03 She Let Go by Safire Rose  Connect with us: For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org [https://www.menopauseandcancer.org] Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer [https://www.instagram.com/menopause_and_cancer/] Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub [https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub/]

This week’s episode is a little different — I’m taking you behind the scenes of two very special moments: our 50km fundraising walk and a powerful all-day event at Future Dreams House. Wherever you are at - whatever symptoms you may have, this episode will make you feel good! Promise! You’ll hear real, unfiltered snippets from the trail, including a brilliant chat about Viagra and vaginal moisturisers (yes, really!) with one of our wonderful supporters, Eleanor Gardener from Pelvic Relief and a doctor friend. These conversations, full of honesty and laughter, are exactly what happens when we walk side by side and talk openly about menopause after cancer. Then, we shift from muddy boots to the magic of community health spaces, exploring how coming together, sharing stories, and building trust can truly change people’s health journeys. Find all your menopause after cancer answers in the book: https://amzn.eu/d/8y9a901 [https://amzn.eu/d/8y9a901] For the Ohnut and all the other brilliant tools to help with sexual health symptoms, go to Pelvic Relief https://pelvicrelief.co.uk/ [https://pelvicrelief.co.uk/] For how to fundraise for Menopause And Cancer yourself, go here: https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/about [https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/about] Episode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction - “Walking to Find Strength" 12:46 Chat with Eleanor Gardener 14:45 Vaginal Moisturiser Development Journey 22:20 Gynaecological Cancer and Menopause Care with Dr Jo Bailey  25:05 "Educating Healthcare on Menopause Care" 33:21 Menopause Support for Cancer Survivors 40:42 "Building Relationships Beyond the Organisation" Connect with us: For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org [https://www.menopauseandcancer.org] Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer [https://www.instagram.com/menopause_and_cancer/] Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub [https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub/]

This week, Dani is joined by Alyson, a listener of the show and valued member of our community, to talk honestly about low libido, zero sex drive, intimacy, and finding pleasure again after cancer. Has your sex life changed? No libido? Can’t be bothered?  Alyson shares her personal journey — from enjoying a healthy sex life to suddenly being thrown into menopause during chemotherapy, and how her libido “completely left the building.” She opens up about the reality of navigating these changes, what we want, what our partners want, and how complex it can be when everything feels different. Alyson also shares practical tips for reigniting desire and highlights why a positive mindset matters when it comes to intimacy after cancer. At the end of the show, Dani makes an unusual offer and shares a bit more from her own experience than usual! While Dani’s book Navigating Menopause After Cancer doesn’t go into huge detail about libido, it does cover vaginal health and vaginal oestrogen from a worldwide perspective, offering evidence-based insights and practical guidance. The Kindle e-book is just £1.99 — so go grab your copy here https://amzn.eu/d/a2QTVE6 [https://amzn.eu/d/a2QTVE6] Episode Highlights: 00:00 Intro 10:23 Seeking Menopause Support & Solutions 16:11 Grieving Sexuality After Cancer 22:39 Balancing Desire in Relationships 27:31 "Schedule Time for Self-Care" 34:23 Negative Focus in Belief Systems 44:20 Exploring Power Dynamics in Sex 52:30 Changing Perspectives on Intimacy 53:51 "Quality Over Quantity in Intimacy" Find Alyson here: https://www.alysonfilippalcsw.com/ Alyson’s resources:  The book Prerequisites to Ecstasy https://amzn.eu/d/hN6IRtf [https://amzn.eu/d/hN6IRtf] Slow Sex https://amzn.eu/d/a1dzSsN [https://amzn.eu/d/a1dzSsN] Connect with us: For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org [https://www.menopauseandcancer.org] Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer [https://www.instagram.com/menopause_and_cancer/] Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub [https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub/]

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/ [https://www.abetter-workplace.com/] To find our events and workshops go here: https://menopauseandcancer.org/events/ [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/ddeS6AD [https://amzn.eu/d/ddeS6AD] Episode Highlights:  00:00 Intro 05:20 Cancer's Impact on Job and Confidence 07:03 Adapting to Personal Change at Work 12:57 Post-Cancer: Struggles Beyond Treatment 14:47 Difficult Decision: Surgery and Miscarriage 19:26 Questioning Resilience Vs. Overexertion 25:47 Practicing Self-Compassion: A Journey 30:30 Workplace Culture and Self-Compassion 34:50 Adapting to Personal Change 37:10 Resilience: Innate Trait or Learned Skill? Connect with us: For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org [https://www.menopauseandcancer.org] Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer [https://www.instagram.com/menopause_and_cancer/] Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub [https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub/]

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 Intro 04:50 Community Support and Awareness Initiatives 09:19 Treatment Transition and New Challenges 18:04 Balancing HRT with Healthy Lifestyle 22:10 Balancing Emotions and Motivation 25:50 "A Journey from Isolation to Insight" 26:53 Prioritising Self-Care Amidst Busy Life 31:20 "Realisation of Hidden Depression" 33:50 Coping with Anxiety Post-Cancer 40:23 Upcoming 50km Fundraising Walk In 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 tickets Support our 50km fundraising challenge and sponsor us https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/search [https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/search] Join Anna for an online Community Connect meet-up: https://menopauseandcancer.org/events/ [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/ddeS6AD [https://amzn.eu/d/ddeS6AD] Connect with us: For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org [https://www.menopauseandcancer.org] Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer [https://www.instagram.com/menopause_and_cancer/] Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub [https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub/]