In this powerful episode, Dani explores what happens when cancer changes everything, including your career. Whether it’s out of necessity or a deep desire to follow a new path, many of us find ourselves questioning what’s next after treatment. Together with Philippa and Kerry, two community members, they explore what happens during time off, what happens when we return to work, and what they've learned along the way.

Expect real talk, courage, and plenty of inspiration. Because starting again isn’t easy – but it is possible.

Philippa mentions getting together at the Kent Challenge - you can find more information here https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/kentdownsultrachallenge

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

04:05 Chemo Fear: Hair Loss and Identity

11:39 Fertility Concerns Amid Cancer Treatment

19:42 "Coping with Menopause After Cancer"

22:45 Unexpected Resilience Amid Cancer Battle

26:00 BRCA Genes and Life-Altering Choices

30:11 Adjusting Post-Cancer Treatment

34:33 Career Reflections

35:48 Navigating Cancer While Working NHS

50:11 Embrace Courage and Future Choices

Connect with us:

For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org

Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer

Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

Welcome to our fourth special bonus edition of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast, where I take you behind the scenes of writing Navigating Menopause After Cancer. In today’s episode, I will share with you the incredible story - and this can’t be a coincidence - of how the cover came to life. It was truly at this point that this book truly became a book from the community, for the community.

Dani’s guest and the designer of the beautiful cover for the book is Laura - you can find more information here https://www.laurawoussen.co.uk/

I’m so glad you’re here. It’s getting so close.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

02:02 How Dani and Laura met

08:02 Nerves before the publisher meeting

12:00 Book Production: A Complex Journey

13:15 Laura’s cancer journey

23:47 Creating boundaries within family

32:10 Coping with cancer anniversary

35:31 Renaming the book

Connect with us:

For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org

Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer

Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

You may be experiencing menopausal symptoms and side effects due to taking medications such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, also called endocrine therapy. You may wonder how much longer you can go on like this. And you may not know what your true benefit of being on these medications is for you.

So in today’s conversation, Dani is joined by breast speciality oncologist Dr Claire Macaulay, who looks after patients in a busy NHS hospital in Scotland. Dr Macaulay helps us understand how you can find out and what it means for individual patients.

Dani and Claire are also joined by a large group of our community who get to ask their questions and share how they are feeling.

Dr Macaulay explains:

• How oncologists work out the individual's benefit of endocrine therapy
• The difference between the older and the new version of the PREDICT tool
• Why patients don't just base decisions on facts alone
• What can we do if symptoms persist?

During the episode, Dani shares some helpful podcasts for you to help manage your symptoms.

- If you are listening to the podcast, start at Episode 141.

- If you are watching on Youtube, start here and work your way up.

A huge thank you to Dr Macaulay who is also a certified sex coach, supporting people in menopause to have improved sex lives.

You can find her here https://www.pleasurepossibility.com

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

08:16 Treatment Completion Challenges

18:55 Hormone Therapies

25:06 Managing Cancer Treatment Information Overload

27:59 PREDICT Score for Treatment Outcomes

35:55 Endocrine Therapy Concerns: Side Effects

40:13 Assessing Tamoxifen: Risks and Benefits

50:29 Managing Fear for Better Recovery

55:05 Balanced Living for Well-being

01:02:16 Recovery Requires Realistic Expectations

01:04:20 Medication Assessment Timeline

Connect with us:

For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org

Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer

Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub