In today’s episode, Dr Zoe Schaedel shares with us how we can plan for better sleep. When you’re up in the middle of the night, unable to fall asleep, everything seems so much worse. Insomnia is very common in cancer patients and most people struggle unable to sleep for years after their initial diagosis even. Is that you? What you need, is a plan. You’d be surprised, this plan starts in the morning.

We will discuss:

• How to get ready for a good night’s sleep first thing in the morning.
• How to signal to your body it’s time to sleep
• What to do when you’re lying awake at night
• Why when you eat matters?
• How breathing exercises can help
• Evidence-based treatments for insomnia
• Melatonin, Magnesium

This episode is sponsored by Astellas Pharma Limited - Thank you for your support.

Dr Zoe Schaedel is an NHS GP with expertise in menopause, sleep problems and cancer patients. She has founded Myla Health and is an accredited British Menopause Specialist.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

06:23 Sleep Hygiene Alone Isn't Enough

08:49 Experiencing Sleep Disruptions?

17:05 Managing Hot Flushes for Better Sleep

18:03 Improving Nighttime Wakefulness Habits

23:55 Nighttime Thinking: Anxious and Uncontrolled

25:52 Power of Breathing Exercises

30:05 Overcoming Sleeplessness Strategies

36:45 Managing Nighttime Anxiety and Options

37:52 "Considering Sleeping Pills for Insomnia"

46:06 Surviving Sleep Deprivation Tips

51:46 Exploring Magnesium and CBD Benefits

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, Dr Angela Ward, a clinical sexologist trained in psychosexual therapy, will guide us through this intimate, interactive and thought-provoking episode on how to find pleasure and intimacy after cancer. “This has been one of the most valuable sessions I have attended after since my cancer treatment”, said a member who joined us at the end of the recording.

Low libido, zero libido is a common side effect of cancer treatment and as we’re about to find out, most people feel very much alone with it.

Before we dive in, we will also do a quick solutions workshop on all your solutions for hot flushes.

We will discuss:

• Hot flushes treatment options - non-hormonal
• Low libido, no libido - what can we do to tackle it?
• I’ve not had sex in years and my partner really wants it
• What is mate-guarding?
• How to find pleasure and intimacy after cancer?
• Not having sex ruined my relationship
• Why no-one ever talks about it
• The expectations around our sex life

This episode is sponsored by Astellas Pharma Limited - Thank you for your support.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

07:58 Assessing HRT and Alternative Treatments

21:10 New Drug Options for Symptoms

22:51 Bio psychosocial Impact on Sex Life

32:39 Rediscovering Pleasure Through "Pleasure Mapping"

41:47 Pre-Cancer Journey & Sexual Exploration

47:56 Addressing Intimacy Post-Diagnosis

51:32 Adapted Intimacy for Post-Surgery Recovery

54:50 Rethinking Sexy and Self-Esteem

Dr Angela Ward, a clinical sexologist trained in psychosexual therapy, is also a GP with expertise in menopause and cancer patients. She has co-founded Spiced Pear Health and is an accredited British Menopause Specialist.

Book mentions:

Managing Hot Flushes and Night Sweats: A Cognitive Behavioural Self-help Guide to the Menopause by Myra Hunter and Melanie Smith

Mind the Gap by Dr Karen Gurney

Better Sex Through Mindfulness by Lori A. Brotto

In today’s episode, Dr. Olivia Hum, a British Menopause Society expert, will guide us through expert solutions to manage joint aches and pains and what we can do to look after our bone health.

We will also discuss:

• Holistic joint aches solutions
• How can I look after my bone health?
• What is a Dexa scan?
• How do I know my bones are at risk?
• Mental health support
• Q&A - Dr. Hum answers your questions

This episode is sponsored by Astellas Pharma Limited - Thank you for your support.

Dr Olivia Hum is an NHS GP with expertise in menopause and cancer patients. She has co-founded Myla Health and is an accredited British Menopause Specialist.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

09:19 Osteoporosis Risk and Prevention

13:10 Calcium and Exercise for Bone Health

24:17 Menopause and Osteoporosis Risk Factors

26:53 Boosting Fibre and Bone Health

36:19 Oncologists' Strategies with Aromatase Inhibitors

39:30 Managing Pain

42:39 Codeine: Effects and Risks Explained

01:06:32 Post-Cancer Menopause Health Plan

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, Dr. Zoe Schaedel, a British Menopause Society expert, will guide us through your non-hormonal prescribable options for helping with your menopause symptoms. “What can your doctor prescribe if you can’t have HRT?”, I what we asked.

We will also discuss:

• What can you expect from a menopause specialist?
• What alternatives are there to HRT?
• What medication can help for hot flushes, restless legs, low mood and other symptoms?
• Why the menopause symptom checker is crucial!
• Supplements & Magnesium - what’s the evidence?
• Q&A - Dr. Schaedel answers your questions

This episode is sponsored by Astellas Pharma Limited - Thank you for your support.

Dr Zoe Schaedel is an NHS GP with expertise in menopause, sleep problems and cancer patients. She has founded Myla Health and is an accredited British Menopause Specialist.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

08:34 HRT considered for certain cancer history cases.

11:32 SSRIs/SNRIs explained.

16:38 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help you cope with symptoms.

19:07 Vaginal oestrogen often used post-cancer treatment.

25:10 Choosing treatments involves weighing personal concerns.

30:23 Collaboration essential for deciding cancer treatment options.

31:16 Consider lifestyle changes.

36:43 Evaluate need for HRT; alternative methods exist.

38:36 Prioritise shared decision-making.

44:19 Supplements unregulated; difficult for doctors to recommend.

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

Episode 142 - Exercise Solutions: What Really Works for Menopause Symptoms

In today’s episode, we will explore which type of exercise and which dose of exercise will help ease cancer treatment-induced symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, depression, insomnia and bone health.

In this episode, we are going to explore: what exercise can do for you.

We are joined by Professor Anna Campbell and a whole group of the women in our community. Professor Campbell has published over 60 research papers and three academic book chapters in the field of exercise and cancer survivorship. In addition, she has also established the charity CanRehabTrust which links cancer patients to cancer exercise specialists. If you have any questions about how to exercise after cancer, Professor Campbell is the person to ask.

• Which type of exercise is best after cancer?
• How much should I exercise?
• Can exercise reduce my risk of recurrence?
• What are the guidelines?

Here are the guidelines on exercise after cancer: https://www.acsm.org/docs/default-source/files-for-resource-library/exercise-guidelines-cancer-infographic.pdf

This episode is sponsored by Astellas Pharma Limited - Thank you for your support.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

04:56 Exploring exercise's impact on cancer treatment recovery.

10:36 Pre-hab reduces complications and saves healthcare costs.

19:20 Exercise aids recovery, improving quality of life.

22:17 Diet/exercise prevents weight gain, improves health.

24:20 Menopausal symptoms can worsen post-cancer.

32:52 Regular exercise and stretching.

35:03 Strength and endurance are both essential.

38:52 Exercise 150 minutes weekly.

48:33 Exercise post-diagnosis reduces cancer recurrence risk.

51:20 Embrace new activities post-cancer for joy.

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

Welcome to today’s episode where I want to sum up what numerous doctors have shared with me over the years. In this episode we are going to explore:

• why you are most likely experiencing challenges in getting the right help with your menopausal symptoms.
• We will go through all the symptoms associated with the menopause and why it might be confusing to know what’s what. Is it brain fog or is it still chemo brain?
• And I will share my flow chart of all your treatment options with you. This will give you an overview - of what’s in your menopause after cancer toolkit.

In the upcoming episodes, I’ll be joined by experts who will help us dive deeper into these important topics. So stay tuned and embrace this journey of exploration. At the end, I’ll share how you can connect with a menopause specialist if you feel you need that extra support.

This episode was recorded in the presence of our incredible community, and I’ll be sharing some of their valuable comments and reflections with you as well.

Here’s to learning, growth, and feeling more supported together!

Find your symptom checker here https://menopauseandcancer.org/menopause-and-cancer-symptom-checklist/

This episode is sponsored by Astellas Pharma Limited - Thank you for your support.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

05:31 Community support is crucial for shared experiences.

14:18 Anxiety common in menopause but manageable with help.

22:35 Exploring menopause symptoms post-cancer diagnosis experiences.

27:39 Assess HRT options with healthcare professional.

36:27 Non-hormonal menopause treatments: options and antidepressants.

42:11 Hormone therapy requires careful, personalised decision-making.

47:20 Exercise reduces cancer recurrence risk by 30%.

51:07 Access UK menopause resources for specialist care.

59:47 Find experienced specialist for post-cancer menopause management.

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

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.

Make sure you are signed up to our Newsletter HERE

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