The Menopause and Cancer Podcast

In this inspiring episode, Dani is joined by two breast care clinical nurse specialists from Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to explore what’s possible when healthcare professionals truly listen, learn and work together to improve menopause care for women after cancer treatment.
If you’re a patient, this is a must-listen so that you can set realistic expectations of what’s possible. If you’re a healthcare professional, you’ll be blown away by what Jaqcui and her team have achieved through hard work and persistence.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Jacqui shares how she helped shape and evolve the support offered within her team around menopause after cancer, bringing colleagues together, opening up important conversations, and helping create more compassionate, informed care for patients navigating life after treatment. She is joined by her colleague, Christina for an honest discussion about what they’ve learned from patients over the years, the gaps they began to recognise, and the practical changes that can happen even within stretched NHS services and limited resources.
Dani says, “Thank you for being utterly amazing!”
Jaqcui and Christina mention Dani’s book and say how helpful it is for them. You can buy a copy here: https://amzn.eu/d/04P0N9FX
And here is www.menopauseandcancer.org for more information and support.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Intro
08:06 Addressing menopause post-cancer treatment
14:24 Learning from patient engagement
17:06 New prescribing practices in oncology
20:25 Discussing Tamoxifen Prescription Options
26:16 Discussing hormone therapy side effects
27:46 Discussing bone health in menopause
36:37 Challenges in patient care response
37:53 Menopause care post-cancer
42:44 Focusing on menopause and cancer
43:52 Planning patient support events
49:11 Empowering patient-doctor conversations
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

Who controls what happens between women’s legs after menopause?
It’s a confronting question, but one that sits at the heart of this episode.
In this short, powerful conversation, I am joined by menopause specialist and sexologist Dr Angela Wright to explore why so many women — particularly those who have had cancer — are still being denied access to vaginal and vulval oestrogen treatments. And why we’re not routinely having the conversation about sexual health after cancer treatment.
Despite being widely recognised as one of the most effective and low-risk treatments for genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM), access remains incredibly low. Many women are left navigating pain, dryness, recurrent infections, loss of sexual function, and a deep impact on identity and relationships — often without being offered treatment. Or they’re told ‘no’.
This episode explores:
Why are women not allowed to make an informed choice about their intimate health?
The realities of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) — and why it’s more than “just dryness”
The added complexity for women on treatments like aromatase inhibitors (e.g. Letrozole)
The emotional and relational impact of untreated symptoms
How history, culture, and medical caution continue to shape women’s access to care
The growing body of guidance suggesting low-dose vaginal hormones may be appropriate for many women, including after breast cancer
The balance between clinical responsibility and patient autonomy

This is not a black-and-white conversation. It’s not about right or wrong.
It’s an invitation — to think, to question, and to open up more honest, informed conversations between patients and healthcare professionals.
Because at its core, is it about choice?
Links mentioned in this episode:
You can find Dr Wright here: https://spicedpearhealth.co.uk/about/
Sweetness of Venus: A history of the clitoris book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sweetness-Venus-History-Clitoris/dp/B08W3NZ1H9
Women’s Health Made Easy Book: for Healthcare Professionals, click here
More information about vaginal oestrogen after breast cancer: https://menopauseandcancer.org/navigating-vaginal-oestrogen-after-breast-cancer-what-every-woman-needs-to-know/
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Intro
05:36 Doctor's journey and women's health
08:17 Challenges of Menopause Treatment
10:32 Debating hormone prescription guidelines
14:25 Discussing medical trauma and autonomy
18:19 Discussing bodily agency and benefits
21:18 Reclaiming life after trauma
24:31 Understanding compliance with endocrine therapies
26:42 Valuing women's opinions in healthcare
29:48 Discussing erectile dysfunction post-cancer
34:39 Opening conversations on sexual health
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

Do you know your rights to work after a cancer diagnosis and with ongoing menopause symptoms?
From navigating time off, to returning to work, to managing menopause symptoms in the workplace, it can feel overwhelming to know what your rights are and what support you should expect.
I’m joined by Barbara Wilson, from Working With Cancer, who brings over 50 years of experience supporting people through cancer at work.
Together, we break this down in a really practical way— so you can feel more informed and more confident in advocating for yourself.
In this episode, we cover:
Whether cancer is automatically considered a disability under UK law
Your rights when returning to work after treatment
What a good return-to-work plan should actually look like
What “reasonable adjustments” mean — and real-life examples
What counts as discrimination in this context
How much do you need to disclose about your diagnosis (including when applying for a job)
Whether menopause is recognised as a disability under UK law
How treatment-induced menopause after cancer is considered in the workplace
Whether employers are expected to support menopause symptoms

Episode Highlights:
00:00 Introduction
06:31 Supporting employees with cancer
08:07 Discussing cancer diagnoses and menopause
13:38 Creating flexible workplace plans
15:29 Discussing cancer disclosure at work
20:23 Discussing return to work planning
22:00 Discussing phased return to work
28:48 Supporting employees with health challenges
31:22 Menopause and post-cancer life changes
37:16 Flexible work schedule adjustments
43:07 Reevaluating work after cancer diagnosis
44:39 Easing back into work
47:52 Disclosing cancer to an employer
Link to Working with Cancer: https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/
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 very special community conversation, I sit down with a group of incredible women from our Menopause and Cancer community to explore something so many of us struggle with after cancer treatment… identity. I’m so grateful the group allowed me to get this conversation out to you! Lucky us.
Who are we now?
Together, we talk openly about the physical and emotional changes that can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves — from body image and confidence, to work, relationships, grief, loss, purpose and rebuilding.
Rather than bringing in an expert, I thought it might be best to just have an honest conversation, share experiences and learn from one another. Because the wisdom in our community is WONDERFUL!
What became clear throughout this discussion is that so many of us are living in what I call “the messy middle” — no longer who we were before cancer, but not yet fully arrived in who we are becoming.
If you’ve ever felt lost, changed, disconnected or uncertain about your place in the world after treatment, this episode is for you.
YouTube Wellness Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsUEBZ4ZwowoJ0t4pV-gmwGSqruDPm-2P&si=7UE81giK-2v5eByM
Episode 214 - What It Really Feels Like & And Your Questions Answered: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-214-what-it-really-feels-like-and-your/id1631842514?i=1000762984322
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Introduction
03:18 Exploring identity and personal growth
07:51 The jar and pebbles analogy
12:31 Coping with treatment and diagnosis
13:49 Discussing challenges of societal expectations
16:47 Struggles with overthinking and doubt
22:47 Facing the unknown post-treatment
23:47 Sharing post-cancer treatment experiences
29:24 Reflecting on life after cancer
32:42 Coping after a mastectomy
35:11 Morning mirror positivity trick
40:24 Navigating daily challenges with compassion
45:36 Navigating menopause and survivorship
47:42 Reflecting on personal growth journey
49:40 Focusing on self-care and being present
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’m joined by Rob and Andy, two partners navigating life alongside their wives through cancer and menopause.
I actually asked in our Facebook community if anyone’s partners would be willing to come on the podcast… and these two were put forward by their wives — earning themselves serious brownie points in the process.
This is a really honest conversation about what it feels like to be on the other side.
We talk about the overwhelm, the uncertainty, and that feeling of wanting to help but not always knowing how. From the emotional impact to the mood changes, this episode sheds light on a perspective we don’t hear enough about.
Because supporting someone through cancer and menopause doesn’t come with a manual — and partners need support and understanding too.
And yes - I did bring up intimacy and low libido - and they did not just quit the call! I am so grateful to Rob and Andy! Thank you so much!
If this resonates, do share this episode with your partner — so we can include them in this conversation too.
This one is for you… and for them.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Introduction
04:13 Discovering and diagnosing cancer
14:49 Discussing menopause challenges and support
18:50 Discussing impacts of menopause
21:49 Challenges in managing menopause symptoms
22:55 Dealing with post-cancer anxiety
30:41 Discussing intimacy post-cancer
34:43 Importance of communication in relationships
37:46 Discussing menopause and HRT advice
42:05 Discussing medically induced 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