The Menopause and Cancer Podcast

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

Episode 198 - Making Sense of It All: Menopause After Cancer

Why is it so hard to get the right help, ask the right questions, and know what to do when it comes to menopause after cancer?In this episode, Dani is joined by Dr Shilpa McQuillan, a gynaecologist, GP, and menopause specialist - for an honest conversation about why menopause after cancer remains so difficult to talk about, both for patients and clinicians.Together they explore what happens when menopause is left untreated, its impact on mental health, sexual wellbeing, and work, and why empowering patients in decision-making leads to better outcomes. This is the important bit! Your thoughts and feelings and ideas matter! You matter!Dr McQuillan also shares practical advice and helpful resources for patients and clinicians alike.As the year ends, Dani reflects on how far we’ve come; and shares a special poem to close with warmth and hope for the year ahead. So make sure you stay tuned to the end.You can find Dr McQuillan Shilpa here on Instagram and https://www.instagram.com/berkshiremenopauseclinic/?hl=en and here on her website www.berkshiremenopauseclinic.comFor more support head to www.menopauseandcancer.orgEpisode Highlights:00:00 Introduction04:38 Menopause Symptoms Overlooked in Cancer07:53 Clinicians' Fears: Uncertainty and Blame12:11 "Long-Term Cancer Treatment Challenges"17:03 Cancer Worries and Holistic Challenges21:25 "Communication is Key for Care"23:28 Patient Advocacy and Information Struggles34:32 Navigating Specialist Pathways Effectively38:29 Empowering Menopause Health StrategiesConnect 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 197 - Reflections, Laughter & Gratitude: Our Christmas Eve Special

This Christmas Eve, we’re doing something a little different.Instead of our usual expert interview, today I’m bringing you some of our Menopause and Cancer team — the powerhouses of women behind the clinic, workshops, research, retreats, fundraising, and support you receive throughout the year.It’s a warm, honest, hopeful conversation about what it really takes to run a small organisation with a giant mission, and the love, courage, chaos and humour that gets us through.Most of all, we want to say thank you.For listening. For showing up. For sharing your stories.For reminding us, every single day, why this work matters.Please leave a review for us here: https://share.google/6Q6Lkp5vk2ILPYKxzWherever you are today — whether surrounded by family, resting quietly, or carving out a moment just for yourself — we hope this episode brings comfort, connection and a sense of togetherness.Wishing you peace, gentleness and a soft landing into the new year.With love,Dani & the Menopause and Cancer Team 💛Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction “Reflecting on Menopause After Cancer"09:05 Menopause and Cancer Awareness Day Highlights16:58 The Power of Shared Connection21:55 "Reflecting on Remarkable Moments"25:49 "Overcoming Fears Through Support"29:30 Connecting with Healthcare Professionals34:20 Mindfulness & Fundraising InitiativesConnect 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 196 - From GSM to Tantra - A Story of Discovering Pleasure After Cancer

I promise I’m not turning The Menopause and Cancer Podcast into a sex podcast… (well, not entirely 😉).But when you hear this week’s conversation with Cay, a much-loved member of our community, you’ll understand why I had to share it.Cay’s story is a wild and wonderful mix of pleasure, perimenopause, cancer, heartbreak, healing, discovery and hope.We talk about:Why she thinks I should be wearing sexy underwear under my tracksuits.The spontaneous post-gym encounter that turned into a big life lesson.Tantra, trips to Costa Rica, and exploring sensuality later in life.How menopause, cancer, and GSM symptoms can make intimacy feel impossible.And how, despite it all, Cay has found her confidence, joy, and her “platinum years”.So yes, it’s a little spicy, full of adventure… but it’s also deeply human and full of heart.Thank you Cay!Here are Cay’s podcast recommendations: Tantra Made Easy by Shashi Solluna Speaking Of Sex with The Pleasure MechanicsBeyond Patriarchal Sex Devashi ShaktiAnd some websites to explore:Shamanickink.com. Francesca Gentille and Shadi TerraDancemeetsTantra.com Spencer JacobsonTaoTantricArts.com Shashi Solluna and Minke de VossHere is Cay’s email in case you want to connect: caychandler@hotmail.comAnd for some of our The Menopause And Cancer podcast episodes on sex, pleasure and intimacy go and find episode 145, episode 179 and episode 187.Episode Highlights:03:28 "Menopause, GSM, and Resilience"10:08 Menopause Struggles and Late Relief15:33 "Challenges, Healing, and Diagnosis"18:51 "Redefining Intimacy After Chemo"22:17 Cultivating Self-Pleasure35:14 Healing Power of Kink38:23 "Safe Space for Transformative Connection"43:07 Midlife Women Exploring Sexuality46:17 Healing Through Movement and ExpressionConnect 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 195 - Living With and Beyond Cancer featuring Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara from Rad Chat

This week’s episode is a special collaboration with the brilliant team from Rad Chat; the multi-award-winning, first therapeutic radiographer–led oncology podcast. And they’re with us on the show today!Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara bring decades of frontline cancer experience, and in this joint conversation we explore menopause after cancer from both the patient and clinician perspective.Together, we discuss:Why menopause after cancer is so often overlooked in oncologyWhat clinicians are seeing in their day-to-day practiceHow communication can improve so patients feel heard, supported and safeWhat needs to change for future generationsIf you’ve ever wished your oncology team better understood the impact of treatment-induced menopause, this episode is full of “finally, someone is saying this out loud” moments. You’ll love this one!A huge thank you to Naman and Jo for collaborating with us.Find the Rad Chat podcast here: www.radchat.co.uk 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 CPD Reflection Points:Reflect on your understanding of the relationship between menopause and cancer. Consider how this may influence the way you signpost patients for support.Consider how effectively you recognise and manage the physical and emotional impact of treatment-induced or early menopause in people living with and beyond cancer, and what could you do differently to support their wellbeing?Read the Menopause and Cancer survey results.Read the symptoms of Menopause.Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.Links from the Episode:Menopause and CancerNavigating Menopause After Cancer: A comprehensive, empowering guide to all your treatment options, where to get help and how to feel betterMenopause Support UKBritish Menopause SocietyThe Menopause charityMenopause MattersResearch links from the Episode:Menopausal hormone therapy and incidence, mortality, and survival of breast cancer subtypes: a prospective cohort studyMenopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer risk: a population-based cohort study of 1.3 million women in NorwayThe influence of menopause age on gynecologic cancer risk: a comprehensive analysis using NHANES dataBMI and breast cancer risk around age at menopauseHormone Replacement Therapy and Risks of Various Cancers in Postmenopausal Women with De Novo or a History of EndometriosisMenopausal Hormone Therapy in Breast Cancer SurvivorsMenopause age and cancer risk is influenced by rare genetic variantsMenopause and Cancer Links:Menopause and Cancer Navigating Menopause After Cancer: A comprehensive, empowering guide to all your treatment options, where to get help and how to feel betterRad Chat Links:Rad Chat WebsiteLink TreeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokBlueSkyYouTubeCredits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.