The Menopause and Cancer Podcast

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:PAVING a Woman’s Path Through Menopause and Beyond 👉 https://healthylearning.com/paving-a-womans-path-through-menopause-and-beyond-epub/The PAVING the Path to Wellness Manual and Workbook (2nd 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/25% discount code for all books: PAVING25Episode Highlights00:00 Intro03:54 Improving Cancer Treatment Side Effects08:47 "Menopause Champions in Healthcare"11:41 Holistic Patient Care in Oncology14:54 "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 Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: 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:Why scanxiety happens and why it’s so normalHow menopause symptoms can make it worse — physically and emotionallyWhat’s going on in the brain during periods of stressPractical, science-based tips to ease anxiety before and during scan timeWhether 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 Intro09:01 Fear, Neuroscience, and Interoception10:37 "Living with Persistent Stress"15:12 "Coping with Scanxiety"18:02 "Kindness Cushion for Stress Relief"22:52 Healthcare Admin Stress in NHS32:53 Post-Cancer Uncertainty and Menopause36:26 "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 and https://whileiwait.uk/For more suport around FEAR with Louise, find episode 131For more suport on Anxiety and everything you can do about it, go to Dani’s book ‘Navigating Menopause After Cancer’ https://amzn.eu/d/0eYDBEtConnect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: 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 GuideIn 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:What Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is, and why it commonly occurs after cancer treatmentWhat 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!When and how these tools can be used safely, and how to choose what might be right for youAs 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-7IYwjB487zJNSIyBqOqUHxfmzb91kdzConnect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: 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:What lifestyle medicine is and why it matters after cancerHow each pillar can support menopause symptoms and survivorshipHow to choose your first step without feeling overwhelmedWhy small, consistent actions create the biggest impactPractical ways to bring lifestyle medicine into daily lifeEpisode Highlights:00:00 Introduction06:47 "Prioritising Patient Survivorship Support"09:45 "Rise of Lifestyle Medicine"16:09 Holistic Lifestyle Assessment Program21:03 "Domino Effect of Cancer Support"23:45 "Introducing Lifestyle Medicine Program"25:28 Wellness Goals and Group Support29:36 "Agency in Sustainable Programs"38:54 Reframing Guilt Through EmpowermentYou can find Dr Zainab Wasim here on @doctorzainabwasim and here on her website: Zainab Wasim - Lifestyle DocStart here with our Our YouTube Wellbeing Series — guided meditations, breath work & mindfulness.Learn more: ‘Navigating Menopause After Cancer’ by Dani Binnington — Amazon linkMenopause And Cancer website: www.menopauseandcancer.orgConnect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

Episode 199 - Your Personalised Menopause-After-Cancer Care Plan: A New Year Reset

In this New Year episode, Dani is joined once again by Dr Shilpa McQuillan, GP, gynaecologist and menopause specialist for an action-packed conversation that gives you the tools and confidence to build your own personalised menopause-after-cancer care plan.If you’ve ever felt lost in the system, unsure what to ask, or left to manage symptoms on your own, this episode will help you make sense of it all. Together, Dani and Shilpa break down what good care should look like, how clinicians can keep the door open even when HRT isn’t an option, and how you can advocate for yourself in appointments.We cover:• What a personalised menopause-after-cancer care plan includes• Key questions to ask — and red flags to look out for• How to look after your bone health, heart health, metabolic risk• Managing menopause symptoms without hormones• Complementary therapies, lifestyle adjustments and realistic strategies• GSM, sexual wellbeing, lubricants, moisturisers and dilators• Mental health support, screening tools and psychological therapiesThis is the episode to take notes on - a practical toolkit to help you start the year with clarity, confidence and a plan.If you’re new here, make sure you subscribe, we’ve got an incredible year coming up.And don’t forget to get your copy of Dani’s book, Navigating Menopause After Cancer, now a #1 bestseller https://amzn.eu/d/en8LLC9You can find Dr Shilpa McQuillan here on Instagram and https://www.instagram.com/berkshiremenopauseclinic/?hl=en and here on her website www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.comEpisode Highlights:00:00 Intro08:51 "Supporting Patients Through Dialogue"14:01 Individualised Approach to Menopause Symptoms18:32 "Prioritising Patient Care with Follow-Ups"22:56 Understanding HRT Beyond Initial Concerns32:04 "Lifestyle Changes for Menopause Relief"38:36 "HRT Benefits and Alternatives"45:36 "Healthcare Awareness and Early Action"50:56 Assessing Risk Factors in Care56:02 Empowering Bone Health After Menopause01:09:11 Anxiety During Menopause: Common Struggles01:12:29 Practical Local Mental Health SupportConnect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub