The Menopause and Cancer Podcast

Episode 204 - Where Do I Turn Now? Making difficult treatment decisions

If cancer treatment pushed you into menopause, you may be sitting there scratching your head, wondering what on earth is happening to your body, why no one warned you, and where you’re supposed to turn for support. That’s exactly where Holly found herself. In this episode of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast, I’m joined by Holly Adcock, who first had vicious night sweats during chemotherapy and later came into our community through one of our in-person Menopause and Cancer workshops. Holly shares her lived experience of navigating menopause after cancer while facing complex and ongoing treatment decisions about her own care — a powerful reminder that menopause after cancer is rarely linear. Instead, it’s a wriggly road. One that often feels like an uphill hike, with twists, setbacks, and moments where you’re not quite sure which way to turn next. I hope this conversation will make you feel like someone is walking alongside you, hand in hand, reminding you that you are not broken, you are not failing — and you are not alone on this hike. If you are like me, then maybe putting one foot in front of the other is what is good for you too - below are the links to our walking challenges - come walk with me. The links are here: BOOST30: https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/Boost30 [https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/Boost30] GET INVOLVED: https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/ [https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/] Episode Highlights: 00:00 Intro 07:05 Osteoporosis, Endocrine Therapy, and Cancer 12:43 "Facing Chemotherapy Expectations" 16:25 Understanding Menopause and Its Symptoms 20:01 "Unheard Challenges of Menopause" 23:32 "Revived by Friendship and Support" 30:22 "Life-Changing Career Redirection" 31:31 "Embracing Positivity Through Reframing" 40:08 "Surgical Menopause Decision Struggle" Connect with Holly: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/associate-holly-adcock [https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/associate-holly-adcock] 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/]

Episode 203 - The Oncologist Who Knew Menopause and Lifestyle Medicine Couldn’t Be Ignored

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Amy Comander, an expert I’ve been wanting to bring onto the podcast for a long time. Amy is a breast oncologist, lifestyle medicine physician, and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner based at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is, quite honestly, many people’s dream oncologist — someone who truly understands that surviving cancer is about far more than getting through treatment. In this conversation, we start with menopause and ask an important question: what drove a breast oncologist to skill up so deeply in menopause and lifestyle medicine? We explore lifestyle medicine through a menopause-after-cancer lens, discussing what is genuinely supportive, what needs to be personalised, and how to talk about health without placing unrealistic pressure back onto patients. Amy also shares more about the PAVING the Path to Wellness for breast cancer survivors. This program is designed to support breast cancer survivors and those navigating menopause with practical, evidence-based tools. I promise you will walk away loving Amy just as much as I do! Listen and be inspired! Resources & links mentioned in this episode: 1. PAVING a Woman’s Path Through Menopause and Beyond 2. 👉 https://healthylearning.com/paving-a-womans-path-through-menopause-and-beyond-epub/ [https://healthylearning.com/paving-a-womans-path-through-menopause-and-beyond-epub/] 3. The PAVING the Path to Wellness Manual and Workbook (2nd edition) 4. 👉 https://healthylearning.com/paving-the-path-to-wellness-manual-workbook-second-edition/ [https://healthylearning.com/paving-the-path-to-wellness-manual-workbook-second-edition/] - Books ship internationally https://healthylearning.com/paving-the-path-to-wellness-manual-workbook-second-edition/ [https://healthylearning.com/paving-the-path-to-wellness-manual-workbook-second-edition/] 25% discount code for all books: PAVING25 Episode Highlights 00:00 Intro 03:54 Improving Cancer Treatment Side Effects 08:47 "Menopause Champions in Healthcare" 11:41 Holistic Patient Care in Oncology 14:54 "Lifestyle Medicine Journey Unveiled" 18:46 "Menopause Impact After Cancer Treatment" 19:42 "Key Focus Areas in Survivorship" 23:12 "Gap in Survivorship Care" 34:38 "Inspiration and Self-Care Motivation" 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/]

Episode 202 - Scanxiety and Menopause: Why It Feels So Intense (and What Can Help)

This week, we’re diving into something that so many of us know far too well — scanxiety. That mix of fear, worry, and sleepless nights that builds before routine scans can be overwhelming on its own… But when you add menopause after cancer into the mix, it can get even more intense. To help us unpack what’s really going on, I’m joined by Louise Baker, an applied neuroscience specialist who works with people recovering from brain tumours. Louise explains what happens inside the brain during moments of stress and fear, and shares practical tools to help manage scanxiety with more understanding and self-compassion. In this episode: 1. Why scanxiety happens and why it’s so normal 2. How menopause symptoms can make it worse — physically and emotionally 3. What’s going on in the brain during periods of stress 4. Practical, science-based tips to ease anxiety before and during scan time Whether you’re counting down the days to your next scan or supporting someone who is, this conversation is for you. You’re not alone. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Intro 09:01 Fear, Neuroscience, and Interoception 10:37 "Living with Persistent Stress" 15:12 "Coping with Scanxiety" 18:02 "Kindness Cushion for Stress Relief" 22:52 Healthcare Admin Stress in NHS 32:53 Post-Cancer Uncertainty and Menopause 36:26 "Hyper-vigilance and Stress Response" 39:47 "Activating Calm Through Awareness" 42:44 "Manifesting Future Experiences" 48:02 "Anxiety Coping Techniques Explained" Here is more support from Louise: https://on.soundcloud.com/uXzBLOsnuFftph0uAs [https://on.soundcloud.com/uXzBLOsnuFftph0uAs] and https://whileiwait.uk/ [https://whileiwait.uk/] For more suport around FEAR with Louise, find episode 131 For more suport on Anxiety and everything you can do about it, go to Dani’s book ‘Navigating Menopause After Cancer’ https://amzn.eu/d/0eYDBEt [https://amzn.eu/d/0eYDBEt] 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/]

Episode 201 - Sexual Health After Cancer Treatment: A Practical Show-And-Tell Guide

Episode 201 - Sexual Health After Cancer Treatment: A Practical Show-And-Tell Guide In this practical workshop, we focus on sexual health after cancer. This is a hands-on, show-and-tell session, designed to normalise conversations about sexual health and offer realistic options for managing discomfort after cancer, whether you’re navigating this alone or with a partner. We’ll look at dilators, compare vibrators and get into the nitty-gritty of it all! You’ll learn: 1. What Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is, and why it commonly occurs after cancer treatment 2. What practical, evidence-informed tools may help — including dilators, vibrators, sex toys and supportive pelvic aids. Dani and her guest expert Eleanor, will show you lots of options! 3. When and how these tools can be used safely, and how to choose what might be right for you As always, the focus is on choice, reassurance and empowerment, with no pressure and no one-size-fits-all solutions. Our expert is Eleanor Gardener from Pelvic Relief. You can find El here: https://pelvicrelief.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopffFtQo419pC_DdXAL-7IYwjB487zJNSIyBqOqUHxfmzb91kdz [https://pelvicrelief.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopffFtQo419pC_DdXAL-7IYwjB487zJNSIyBqOqUHxfmzb91kdz] 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/]

Episode 200 - Lifestyle Medicine for Menopause After Cancer/ Where to Start

In this empowering episode, Dani talks with Dr. Zainab Wasim, an Oncology Specialty Doctor and Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician, about how simple, evidence-based lifestyle changes can transform life after cancer. You will learn what lifestyle medicine actually is, how the key pillars: movement, nutrition, sleep, stress and social connection - can support recovery, and why starting small can make a real difference to how you feel. Dr. Zainab shares insights from her 12-week coaching pilot for breast cancer survivors, which achieved measurable improvements in wellbeing and confidence, and was featured by the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. You’ll learn: 1. What lifestyle medicine is and why it matters after cancer 2. How each pillar can support menopause symptoms and survivorship 3. How to choose your first step without feeling overwhelmed 4. Why small, consistent actions create the biggest impact 5. Practical ways to bring lifestyle medicine into daily life Episode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction 06:47 "Prioritising Patient Survivorship Support" 09:45 "Rise of Lifestyle Medicine" 16:09 Holistic Lifestyle Assessment Program 21:03 "Domino Effect of Cancer Support" 23:45 "Introducing Lifestyle Medicine Program" 25:28 Wellness Goals and Group Support 29:36 "Agency in Sustainable Programs" 38:54 Reframing Guilt Through Empowerment You can find Dr Zainab Wasim here on @doctorzainabwasim and here on her website: Zainab Wasim - Lifestyle Doc [https://www.drzainabwasim.com/] Start here with our Our YouTube Wellbeing Series [https://www.youtube.com/@MenopauseandCancer?sub_confirmation=1] — guided meditations, breath work & mindfulness. Learn more: ‘Navigating Menopause After Cancer’ by Dani Binnington — Amazon link [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1068499907?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_DYH5XQAK4HGJVE97H0D4_1&bestFormat=true] Menopause And Cancer website: www.menopauseandcancer.org [https://menopauseandcancer.org/] 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/]