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

This is a fascinating conversation and I urge you to listen to it. Do you snore? Do you sleep with your mouth open? Well, if you do, this may have a negative impact on quite a few of your menopause symptoms. Dr. Louise Oliver discusses the critical role of breathing in overall health, particularly during menopause. She shares her personal journey from being a GP to becoming a functional breathing expert after experiencing sleep issues related to her breathing patterns. We talk about the impact of breathing on sleep quality, the detoxification processes in the body and brain, and practical tips for improving breathing efficiency.

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.

03:20 Peri-menopause snoring impacted sleep.

07:32 Snoring disrupts sleep; affects body's repair processes.

14:42 Diaphragm aids lymphatic movement; nasal breathing helps.

19:15 Women are upper chest breathers.

21:54 Snoring or mouth breathing indicates inefficient breathing.

28:06 Correct tongue position improves airway and mindfulness.

31:49 Tongue exercise lifts chin, strengthens tongue muscles.

37:47 Use Myotape to manage over breathing effectively.

43:22 Link menopause sleep issues with obstructive sleep apnea.

48:56 Release tension through mindful breathing.

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

Dr Louise Oliver is a GP, Functional Breathing Practitioner & Therapeutic Life Coach.

Website: https://www.drlouiseolivertherapeuticlifecoaching.com/

The mouth tape Louise mentions is https://oxygenadvantage.com/store/ with the code LOUISEOLIVER5 you get 5% off.

How to assess if you are breathing efficiently video is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZINIm_SVvM

Breathing info for children:

https://www.drlouiseolivertherapeuticlifecoaching.com/post/child-development-and-nasal-breathing

In today’s conversation, my guest Louise Baker, an applied neuroscience specialist and I explore the profound impact of fear so many of us experience when we are diagnosed with cancer.

We delve into the neuroscience behind fear, discussing how the brain processes traumatic experiences and the physiological responses that accompany them. Most importantly, Louise offers practical techniques for calming the nervous system and managing anxiety. We explore various strategies through sensory movements and body language.

Louise Baker is an applied neuroscience specialist, an expert in hypnotherapy and psychotherapy and she provides transformative support to individuals and their families at the Brain Trust a charity, an organisation supporting brain cancer patients.

Louise’s meditations are here, try them: https://soundcloud.com/louise-baker-hypnotherapy

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.

03:32 Explaining fear through neuroscience and storytelling.

10:02 Unexpected stress can feel overwhelming and unpredictable.

15:05 Find personalised techniques to manage escalating anxiety.

25:56 Building new pathways starts with simple actions.

27:14 Techniques to help you manage stress.

36:41 Let brainwaves change by practicing awareness.

42:44 Building blocks for relaxation and therapeutic progress.

45:49 Relaxation enhances energy and mental clarity.

48:19 Use intermediate steps to achieve meditation calmness.

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 episode I want to share with you some of my personal experiences and insights on navigating menopause after cancer treatment, particularly focusing on how individual healing is! You may be new to our community or you may have listened to every single episode, I think you’ll love this one.

You may need medication, you may need to heal in a different way. I know food was my medicine and so was my yoga, and you may want to do different things at different times. You do you! So, tune in as I share my 7 strategies and lead you down a path to enquire if you want to adopt any of them into your own life.

Make sure to listen to the end!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate” is a beautiful reading by Marianne Williamson and I share it to encourage you to shine bright!

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.

06:07 Consider holistic options; balance diet for nutrients.

08:14 Inspiring self-care influences.

12:23 Exercise improves mood, health, and social connections.

17:00 Community enhances emotional and mental well-being.

23:53 Trust your instincts; options can be revisited.

27:12 Explore diet, supplements, and holistic symptom management.

31:07 Empower treatment knowledge; maintain a supportive network.

36:00 Our Deepest Fear poem.

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 guest is a lady from our community who shares her experience with cancer diagnosis, treatment, and the challenges she faced with conflicting information and decisions. Maria is a wonderful lady who shares so openly and with vulnerability. She discusses the impact of menopause on her mental health and physical well-being, as well as the difficulties she encountered with vaginal atrophy. Maria emphasises the importance of being an active participant in one's own healthcare and the need for personalised treatment options. She also highlights the value of finding support and community in navigating the menopause journey.

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.

09:02 HRT cessation very difficult.

13:04 Despair culminated on tube platform; sought help.

15:55 Women's benefits vary; informed consultation is essential.

17:23 Struggling with identity and emotional instability.

22:53 Struggling to get GP to prescribe Ospemifene.

24:58 Stopping tamoxifen improved physical, mental issues briefly.

29:10 Your path is unique; prioritise personal preparation.

30:16 Decision based on facts, not opinions needed.

36:55 Community and podcast provided peace and connection.

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 today’s episode, I am joined by the woman who has become my biggest inspiration personally and professionally over the last year - without knowing it! Amanda Winwood is today’s guest and she shares her journey of shaking up and transforming the spa industry to be more inclusive for cancer patients. She discusses the importance of touch therapy, the science behind the formulations in her skin care brand Made For Life Organics, and the significance of being authentic and wanting to do the right thing. Amanda emphasises the need for integrity in product creation - some of the facts she reveals about organic skin care will shock you for sure! This conversation is a call for each of us to channel our inner hippie, our inner rebel and to embrace true authenticity.

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.

06:28 Open-mindedness needed to welcome cancer patients in spas.

15:08 Validation, nature, and massage significantly impact well-being.

22:24 Organic skincare only requires 1.75% organic ingredients.

25:11 Improve skin microbiome through diet and nature.

32:15 Calendula’s healing power cherished and family-tied.

36:43 Nature's herbs and flowers deeply connect and help.

38:31 Made for Life Organics prioritise integrity and handmade natural products.

43:45 Embrace inner hippie, rebel, and authenticity.

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