The Menopause and Cancer Podcast

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 oncology
• What clinicians are seeing in their day-to-day practice
• How communication can improve so patients feel heard, supported and safe
• What needs to change for future generations

If 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.

Being diagnosed with cancer is life-changing. But being told you have to stop HRT too? It’s a double whammy that can leave you feeling lost, frightened, and unsure where to turn.

In this episode, I speak with Sarah and Laura - two women who’ve lived through that moment. Laura is six months on, and Sarah is a year into life without HRT. They share their feelings on what it feels like, how they’ve coped, and what they’ve learned along the way.

This conversation isn’t about what’s right or wrong - it is my hope that you will be able to reflect a little on what has happed to you, or learn how a loved one or patient may experience this double whammy of a situation.

HRT can be transformative, even life-saving. So when it’s suddenly taken away, the grief and worry are real. With over 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide every year, thousands will face this same painful dilemma. And currently, there is ZERO support!

I am so proud, that at Menopause and Cancer, we are the only organisation dedicated solely to supporting people through the menopause after cancer. Our mission is to make sure no one is left without options, guidance, or hope. 

Unsure where to start?

Tune into podcast episode 178 - Stopping HRT: The Side Effect I Wasn’t Ready For - with Dr Talaulikar

In this week’s episode, Dani continues her conversation with Dr Sarah Glynne, GP, menopause specialist, and co-author of the new paper “Menopausal Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients: What Is the Current Evidence?” - to explore one of the most frequently asked questions left after last week’s episode: testosterone therapy after breast cancer.

This is Part 2 of our special series following the publication of the new paper.

In this episode, Dani and Dr Glynne discuss:

What testosterone actually does for energy, mood, and libido.

The studies we have so far - and how reliable they are.

Whether testosterone can convert into oestrogen.

How testing works and when it might be appropriate.

Whether testosterone therapy can or should be used alongside endocrine treatments.

In this week’s episode of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast, Dani speaks with two of the authors behind the new paper, Menopausal hormone therapy for breast cancer patients: what is the current evidence? Professor Jayant Vaidya, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, and Dr Sarah Glynne, GP and menopause specialist.

This is the first of a two-part special exploring what this new paper and upcoming MENO-ABC clinical trial could mean for breast cancer survivors curious about HRT or already on HRT.

Up until recently, most experts thought a study like this would never happen — but it’s happening.

Together, they unpack:

• What’s new about this paper — and why it matters.
• The scientific and ethical concept of equipoise (yes, Dani learned a new word!).
• How the new MENO-ABC trial could change what we know about HRT use after breast cancer.
• What this research might mean for patients, clinicians, and the future of survivorship care.

Next week: Don’t miss part two, where Dani and Dr Sarah Glynne take a deep dive into testosterone use after breast cancer — what we know, what we don’t, and where the conversation is heading.

Links & Resources:

Many people in our community say it has become virtually impossible to shift the weight since cancer and menopause. So of course we ask ourselves: What role do GLP-1 medicines play in cancer survivorship and what do we really know about their safety, risks, and benefits? 

In this episode, I’m joined by Caroline Tweedie, currently working as the lead cancer nurse in the North East of England. With over 17 years’ experience as a Clinical Nurse Breast Specialist, Caroline has dedicated her career to improving the lives of those affected by breast cancer and sits on the NICE committee shaping national breast cancer guidance.

We explore, with curiosity - and never with judgement:

- What GLP-1 medicines are and why they are so effective

- Safety concerns and what the evidence shows for cancer survivors

- Why these drugs matter in breast cancer survivorship

- The role of GLP-1s in weight, muscle, bone health, inflammation, and fatigue

- Natural strategies that may work on similar pathways

- Key risks to be aware of: hair loss, sarcopenia, drug absorption, and endocrine therapy interactions

- What happens when you stop taking the drug

- Practical advice for patients and clinicians navigating this new landscape

Caroline also shares her insights on why weight loss isn’t the same as fitness, why muscle is the “anti-fatigue organ,” and what both patients and healthcare professionals need to know before considering GLP-1 use in survivorship care.

This is a nuanced, evidence-based discussion that puts patients at the centre. Whether you’re a survivor curious about GLP-1s or a healthcare professional supporting patients, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical takeaways.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

12:09 Survivorship Challenges Beyond Cancer Treatment

15:35 Weight Loss Treatments: Risks & Support

16:42 Bariatric Surgery vs Rapid Weight Loss

22:18 Protein Intake for Menopause Health

25:04 "Deciding on GLP1 Treatment"

29:06 GLP-1 Eligibility Criteria Explained

35:40 "Drug Trials and Patient Safety"

42:19 Obesity Support After Cancer

43:31 Diabetes Drugs, Costs, Future Hope

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