October is a busy and often overwhelming month — with Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns everywhere and World Menopause Awareness Day on the calendar. For many in our community, it can be triggering, noisy, and emotionally exhausting.

That’s why this month, I’m handing the microphone over to you — our incredible community. In this special episode, we share the things we wish our friends, families, workplaces, and the wider world really understood about navigating menopause after cancer.

Joining me for this honest (and slightly unpredictable!) chat are Rachel, Anna, and Rebecca — each bringing their unique perspective, warmth, and a few friendly rants along the way.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

04:50 Community Support and Awareness Initiatives

09:19 Treatment Transition and New Challenges

18:04 Balancing HRT with Healthy Lifestyle

22:10 Balancing Emotions and Motivation

25:50 "A Journey from Isolation to Insight"

26:53 Prioritising Self-Care Amidst Busy Life

31:20 "Realisation of Hidden Depression"

33:50 Coping with Anxiety Post-Cancer

40:23 Upcoming 50km Fundraising Walk

In this episode we talk about:

Join us in London on the 4th October for PAUSE LIVE menopause show. Use code MANDC10 for 10% off your tickets

Support our 50km fundraising challenge and sponsor us https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/search

Join Anna for an online Community Connect meet-up: https://menopauseandcancer.org/events/

Get a copy of Dani’s book to fins out about all your evidence-based treatment-options: https://amzn.eu/d/ddeS6AD

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, we’re exploring something that affects every single cancer survivor, yet often goes completely unspoken: the state of your nervous system, and how it might be silently shaping your menopause symptoms.

I am joined once again by the brilliant Dr Louise Oliver, GP and certified breathing practitioner, whose insights on snoring, mouth breathing and menopause had a huge response when she first appeared on the podcast. This time, the focus shifts deeper — to the autonomic nervous system (ANS), how it’s impacted by the loss of oestrogen, and why your breathing patterns may be the key to finding better balance.

Together they explore:

• The two branches of the autonomic nervous system — and why so many survivors feel stuck in "fight or flight"
• Why oestrogen affects breathing efficiency — and what happens when it’s suddenly removed through treatment
• How disrupted breathing might worsen hot flushes, anxiety, night sweats, gut issues, and poor sleep
• Most importantly, what you can do to feel better

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

09:06 Chronic Anxiety and Sympathetic Nervous System

12:45 Stress Response and Physical Discomfort

14:09 Balancing Autonomic Nervous System

26:29 "Check Your Breathing Habits"

29:43 Breathing Techniques

Missed our first episode with Dr Louise Oliver?

Listen to: Ep 132 – Does the Way You Breathe Make Your Menopause Symptoms Worse? https://podfollow.com/the-menopause-and-cancer-podcast

Get your copy of Navigating Menopause After Cancer: https://amzn.eu/d/6HTJ4hU

Information from Dr. Oliver: https://www.drlouiseolivertherapeuticlifecoaching.com/post/stress-menopause - Great diagram of the menopausal autonomic nervous system dysfunction model in this blog.

https://www.drlouiseolivertherapeuticlifecoaching.com/post/health-and-well-being-jigsaw-puzzle

Learn more about our work: menopauseandcancer.org

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

The menopause transition after cancer can feel overwhelming — it’s hard to know what to do next, how to process it all, or even where to start. This episode offers a gentle, creative way in.

Rory Green shares her own story as a cancer survivor, writer and psychotherapist, navigating menopause, and how writing became a powerful outlet for healing, release, and self-discovery. Rory runs transforative Write To Be You workshops and today, she tells us how we could all make a start to tap into the healing powers of putting pen to paper.

We talk about:

• Why writing is more than just words on a page
• How journaling supports emotional wellbeing after treatment
• The magic of small, honest moments
• Tips for anyone wanting to start (or restart) writing for themselves

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

03:36 "Tyranny of the Red Pen"

09:57 Creating a Safe, Warm Haven

15:49 Guided Imagination Journey Experience

21:06 Healing Space for Women

28:04 Feelback: Emotional Response Sharing

31:52 "Intentional Journaling Practice"

35:42 Returning to Self Through Connection

37:29 "Creating Safe Spaces for Truth"

40:16 "Invitation to Self-Expression"

Here’s more info on Rory and her beautiful work: https://www.writetobeyou.com/

Buy my book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Navigating-Menopause-After-Cancer-comprehensive/dp/1068499907

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