Welcome to this special Christmas Day episode of the Menopause and Cancer Podcast. For many of us—cancer survivors navigating treatment-induced menopause—this day might not feel like the picture-perfect celebration we see in movies or on social media. And that’s okay. In today’s episode, I want to turn celebrating on it’s head - and celebrate YOU.

Let’s take a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect on what it means to celebrate ourselves. Whether you’re feeling gratitude, exhaustion, or something in between, this is your gentle reminder that you are enough just as you are.

• What does “celebration” really mean on a day like today?
• Why it’s okay if today doesn’t feel joyful, and how we can find moments of peace.
• Reframing Christmas: turning the focus inward and celebrating your resilience, strength, and small wins.
• Wrapping yourself in warmth—literally and figuratively—and filling up your own cup.

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Episode Highlights:

00:00 Celebrating quiet strength over hustle and tradition.

05:03 Menopause post-cancer impact underestimated; needs support.

07:36 What does celebration mean to you today?

11:24 Feeling detached yet grateful during a family celebration.

14:39 Celebrate yourself with affirmations and self-care.

19:48 Disconnecting from the body impedes true enjoyment.

21:53 Embrace being the proud, empowered, "difficult" woman.

25:49 Celebration for you, unity, connections, and healing.

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

This is perhaps the most important practice of 2024. By taking time out for yourself, you’ll be in awe of everything you’ve achieved and overcome this year – you’ll be in awe of yourself.

I will guide you through a series of structured questions to help you reflect on the past year and begin looking ahead to the new year with purpose and intention. But don’t worry – we’re absolutely not here to set New Year’s resolutions. This is about something far more meaningful: discovering what truly matters to you and figuring out your priorities in a thoughtful and intentional way.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

07:13 Reflect on events from January 2024 onward.

15:15 Reflect on key life areas: home, mind, and body.

22:06 Reflect on personal growth, challenges, and achievements.

29:13 Did you connect with and care for your body?

40:41 Reflect on personal growth and supportive actions.

55:54 Affirmations nurture self-care and self-acceptance.

58:00 Place affirmations in daily spaces for positivity.

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

Today’s 15-minute Yoga Nigra will help you ease anxiety.

Welcome to the Menopause and Cancer Podcast Wellbeing Series where we share practical tools to help you heal and recover through and beyond cancer.

In this series, we share practical tools to help you release anxiety, improve sleep, reduce stress, and feel more present—through many tools such as meditation and more, all brought to you by our community. Take a moment to relax and rejuvenate.

Do not listen while driving. Meditation and mindful movement are powerful tools to support you. This is not a substitute for medical care. Consult a doctor or trusted health professional if needed.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

00:35 Yoga Nidra with Louisa Rasmussen

Dr. Shelley Latte-Naor from MSKCC Cancer Center in NYC shares the evidence for the benefit of yoga nidra with us: there is some evidence supportive of the use of yoga in general and yoga nidra in particular both in the menopausal space as well as in cancer survivors.

• A recent review ( PMID: 37489597) synthesizing the evidence on Yoga Nidra and found benefits in reducing stress, improving mood, enhancing well-being, and improving sleep quality.

• At least two systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PMCID: PMC6980280 and PMCID: PMC6980280) yoga significantly improved hot flashes, total menopausal symptoms, sleep quality, anxiety, depressive symptoms, body mass index, and blood pressure.

• There is also plenty of research of the benefits of yoga with meditative techniques for cancer survivorship. For example large randomized controlled trial ( PMCID: PMC9990873) demonstrated that yoga significantly improved cancer-related fatigue (CRF), physical activity, and quality of life among cancer survivors.

• In addition to that there's also recent evidence both in the cancer population and in the general population that yoga can improve sleep quality (PMCID: PMC3757292) .

Resources: Go to www.menopauseandcancer.org to join our expert-led workshops, programs and find oodles of inspiration.

Recorded for you by Louisa Rasmussen

www.breathebalancebe.com

Instagram @louisa.breathebalancebe

Feel like you’ve lost your confidence since cancer treatment induced menopause? In this empowering episode, I want to explore the journey of rebuilding confidence after cancer treatment and through menopause. Lack of confidence and loss of self-worth is something we are all too familiar with as we navigate life after cancer and of course the lack of hormones play a part too.

I dive into how these life-altering experiences can challenge your sense of self and provide practical tools to help you rise above self-doubt and embrace your strengths.

From managing body image struggles to finding your voice again, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you thrive.

Whether you’re navigating treatment-induced menopause, recovering from cancer, or supporting someone on this journey, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about overcoming challenges and rediscovering the amazing person you are.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

06:19 Brain fog impairs competence and concentration significantly.

09:44 Cancer can result in self-doubt and distrust in body.

13:50 Overcoming struggles: regain confidence through support.

17:15 Focus on strengths, set manageable goals.

20:05 Overthinking causes exhaustion and lack of confidence.

22:04 Confidence dwindled over years, impacting aspirations.

27:41 Celebrate small successes; utilise reminders and strategies.

29:29 Feeling unworthy, judged, anxious, insecure, sober.

40:02 Embrace emotional growth; CBT strategies can help.

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

In this powerful conversation, I want to share with you one of the most incredible people, coach Carly Moosah who I had the pleasure of getting to know over the last few years. Carly shares her journey through breast cancer with us, reflecting on lessons in gratitude, joy, and living fully. She talks about her diagnosis, the fear of cancer she had before she was diagnosed even - but most importantly, she shares her journey to finding meaning and fulfilment in every waking day. And now, we can do it too! Enjoy this beautiful conversation.

You can find Carly here: https://www.instagram.com/carlymoosah/?hl=en

“Where focus goes, energy flows. And where energy flows, whatever you're focusing on grows. In other words, your life is controlled by what you focus on. That's why you need to focus on where you want to go, not on what you fear.”

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

07:42 Reframing cancer's impact.

10:55 Cancer diagnosis strengthened my gratitude for life.

14:03 Meditation challenge helped during breast cancer diagnosis.

19:52 Rollerblading restored my joy post-surgery.

31:04 Difficult days are between active treatments.

36:04 Compassion-focused therapy reshaped my understanding and mindset.

39:31 Cultivate compassion through meditation and journaling.

40:23 Allow feelings space; acknowledge all emotions.

44:42 Prioritise self-compassion and simple restorative activities.

48:37 Be kind to yourself during challenging times.

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

Today I am joined by Helen Hyndman and Tracie Miles from the charity Eve Appeal about the importance of understanding gynaecological cancers and the impact of menopause on women's health. Chances are your treatment for gynae cancer has induced menopause. Chances are, that no-one helped you in understanding how you can manage that. We discuss personal experiences with surgical menopause, the significance of pre-surgery planning, and the role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

We also touch on the new NICE guidelines and the resources available for women navigating menopause after cancer treatment.

Here are the resources we speak about:

British Gynaecological Cancer society new statement on Management of menopausal symptoms

https://www.bgcs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/BGCS-BMS-Guidelines-on-Management-of-Menopausal-Symptoms-after-Gynaecological-Cancer.pdf

Eve Appeal: https://eveappeal.org.uk/about-us/

NICE 2024 Guidance: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/resources/menopause-identification-and-management-pdf-1837330217413

https://www.bgcs.org.uk/wp-content/uploas/2024/08/BGCS-BMS-Guidelines-on-Mahttps://www.bgcs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/BGCS-BMS-Guidelines-on-Management-of-Menopausal-Symptoms-after-Gynaecological-Cancer.pdfnagement-of-Menopausal-Symptoms-after-Gynaecological-Cancer.pdf

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

12:24 Oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone balance affects women.

15:46 Surgical menopause: Lack of pre-surgery conversations.

17:40 Finding menopause guidance online, exploring management options.

23:06 Advocate menopause awareness and comprehensive support options.

31:32 Encourage clear communication with GP for support.

34:32 BGCS updates on HRT evidence and guidelines.

38:11 Educating on cancer, menopause, influencing medical research.

42:11 Seek resources and share knowledge on menopause.

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

Following a really interesting chat in our FB group about the effects of coffee and how we feel after drinking it impacts us - and our menopause symptoms post-cancer, I wanted to go a little deeper into this topic with you today. And I am delighted to have with me, Zain, co-founder of London Nootropics’, a great brand making delicious adaptogenic coffee blends using the highest quality of ingredients. Many of you say you can no longer drink coffee the way you used to, with anxiety and hot flushes worsening. Some of you have stopped drinking coffee, some have changed when they drink it. I’m sure how we react to coffee is a very personal thing.

Let’s take a deep dive into all of this and the potential benefits of adaptogenic coffee - can they really give you all the benefits of regular coffee whilst minimising side effects such as jitters, anxiety and a crash?

For London Nootropics adaptogenic coffee go here https://londonnootropics.com/collections/all and use code: healthywhole for 20% off

For more info on cancer and ashwaganda go here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9892/2660/files/LIIMINAL_Naturopathy_Menopause.pdf?v=1727179357

To learn more about how medicinal mushrooms and how they can complement oncology treatments go here: https://hifasdaterra.com/en/we-support-you/

Thanks to our sponsors https://www.madeforlifeorganics.com/ Made For Life Organics - one of the most authentic skin-care brands that I have come across. They are true organic skin care products, hand-blended in Cornwall, with a unique mix of botanical ingredients combining science with nature. Go to https://www.madeforlifeorganics.com/ they are giving our community 20% off with MENO20.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

08:31 Adaptogens

10:05 Ashwagandha discussed

19:37 Idea becomes business with adaptogenic coffee blends.

21:35 Choosing best adaptogen depends on source quality.

24:04 Check transparency in mushroom sourcing and compounds.

31:37 Finding calm through afternoon coffee ritual.

37:06 Use "healthywhole" code for 20% discount.

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

In this empowering episode, I I want to dive into the reality that, while feeling “lucky to be alive” is a powerful sentiment, it doesn’t always capture the whole story.

Join me as I explore how these feelings of gratitude sometimes make it harder to ask for help, share personal struggles, or seek the support needed for true healing.

So many of you amazing survivors I speak to, myself included, face unanticipated challenges - like the added complexity of menopause - and many are out there feeling alone and looking for holistic support.

We'll uncover ways to balance gratitude with advocacy for your health, find trustworthy resources when medical guidance is lacking, and build a community that truly understands.

Support is here for you:

Join our experts for our Online Menopause And Cancer Festival starting on November 11th 2024, and book your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/menopause-and-cancer-72544601233

You’re not alone, and together, we can build a healthier, more holistic path forward.

Thanks to our sponsors https://www.madeforlifeorganics.com/ Made For Life Organics - one of the most authentic skin-care brands that I have come across. They are true organic skin care products, hand-blended in Cornwall, with a unique mix of botanical ingredients combining science with nature. Go to https://www.madeforlifeorganics.com/ they are giving our community 20% off with MENO20.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

05:14 Seek help post-cancer; you deserve support.

08:52 Silent struggles unaddressed.

13:21 Consulted Dr Google.

18:36 Balance information intake; consult doctors, avoid overload.

22:50 Reflecting, reevaluating, balancing missteps for holistic health.

25:43 Embrace gratitude while advocating for your health.

29:34 Online Menopause And Cancer Festival.

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