The Menopause and Cancer Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Liz O’Riordan, a former breast cancer surgeon, three-time cancer survivor, and author of The Cancer Roadmap: Real Science to Guide Your Treatment Path. Liz shares the motivation behind her latest book, and the most common myths surrounding cancer, treatment, and menopause.

We discuss the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis and evidence-based insights into controversial topics like diet, turmeric, juicing, alternative therapies, and HRT after cancer. We also talk about deodorants and clean skin care and I share with Liz why I can’t quite believe that ‘normal skincare’ including parabens and aluminium, make no difference. 

Liz also breaks down key misconceptions:

“Menopause after cancer is the same as natural menopause.”

“Now you’ve had cancer, you can’t just take HRT.”

“Your menopause symptoms will settle down over time.”

“If you’re young, your body will just bounce back.”

“You should just be grateful you survived.”

“Tamoxifen is just a little white pill—what’s the big deal?”

"Sex and Intimacy Are Over After Cancer and Menopause”

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

10:19 Cancer: A Slow, Unseen Process

17:24 Turmeric Supplements: Absorption Challenges

20:10 Exposing the Juicing Myth

25:15 Parabens: Safety in Skin Absorption

31:50 Tamoxifen Side Effects

35:21 Empowered Patients: Advocating for Change

39:40 Struggle with Hormone Blocker Side Effects

52:38 Understanding Your Motivations for Health Choices

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by Melinda McDougall, a registered Medical Herbalist. Melinda has analysed hundreds of research papers on herbal medicine and menopause to uncover what truly works for some of our most bothersome menopause symptoms. Today, she brings that knowledge to us so that we can find out what considerations we have to make when also dealing with the complexities of a cancer diagnosis.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• How Herbal Medicine Differs from Supplements
• Which Herbal Medicine works for Menopause Symptoms?
• Deep Dive into: Ashwagandha and Black Cohosh 
• Considerations for oestrogen positive cancer patients
• Phytoestrogens – Are They Safe?
• How to Find Quality Herbal Products
• Seeing a Medical Herbalist – What to Expect
• Why a Holistic Approach is Key

Tune in now for a deep dive into the power of herbal medicine!

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

06:13 Understanding Menopause and Herbal Medicine

07:52 Herbal Medicine Vs. Supplements

16:14 Ashwagandha: Benefits and Uses

18:43 "Herbal Medicine for Menopause Post-Cancer"

22:00 "Finding a Qualified Herbalist"

33:32 Phytoestrogens: Potential and Caution

40:19 Research Limitations Highlighted

Are your bones at risk after cancer treatment? Many cancer survivors experience bone loss due to treatments that affect hormones and bone density. In this episode, we break down what you need to know about osteoporosis, how to assess your risk, and the steps you can take to protect your bone health.

Navigating menopause after cancer treatment comes with unique challenges, and finding the right support can make all the difference. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Laura James, a board-certified naturopathic oncologist with over 20 years of experience in integrative cancer care. No one mentioned to Laura that her own medical treatment would stop her ovaries from functioning when she was a young woman of 26, so she knows what many of us experience. 

The total void of what it is to navigate menopause after cancer!

Together, we explore:

- What integrative medicine looks like in practice for cancer survivors experiencing menopause

- How evidence-based therapies—like nutrition, botanical medicine, stress management, and lifestyle modifications—can ease menopause symptoms and enhance recovery

- Practical steps for building a team that blends conventional treatment with integrative approaches

- How to find trustworthy providers and navigate cost and insurance challenges

- Tips for incorporating complementary therapies safely and effectively

Whether you’re struggling with symptoms like hot flushes, joint pain, brain fog, or fatigue—or simply want to feel more in control of your care—this episode is packed with insights to help you make informed choices.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

03:20 Integrative Cancer Care Standardisation

07:34 "Dealing with Chemical Menopause"

14:24 Cancer: Preparing for the Storm

17:35 Support Crucial in Cancer Journey

22:52 Challenges in Herbal Medicine Efficacy 

26:04 Naturopathic Oncology and Chemotherapy Integration

29:15 Integrity-Focused Medical Practice

36:06 Cancer Recovery and Positivity

39:45 Simple Uplift: Joyful Resilience

Here are today’s links:

Many of our listeners are on a quest to improve their menopause symptoms and overall health, trying this and trying that. But as we all know, making lasting lifestyle changes can be tough—especially after cancer treatment. In this conversation, we explore how to turn good intentions into real, lasting habits that will help improve your health, reduce the risk of recurrence, and manage menopause symptoms.

I speak with Nienke Lees, a GP who is passionate about lifestyle medicine and helping her patients succeed. We discuss the power of SMART goals and the three essential components of behaviour change that can help you build healthier routines in your daily life. If you’ve ever struggled with making changes to your diet, exercise, or overall habits, this episode is for you.

Key Topics Covered:

• The challenges of making lifestyle changes after cancer treatment
• Nobody teaches us HOW to make changes
• The importance of lifestyle medicine in managing menopause symptoms
• How to set SMART goals to create lasting habits
• The three components of successful behavior change

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

06:07 Overcoming Barriers to Healthy Eating

12:52 Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

14:35 Building Confidence Through Lifestyle Changes

18:17 Overcoming Small Anxieties

20:23 Understanding and Changing Deep-Rooted Behaviours

32:12 Make your goals SMART

34:42 Habit Rewards Must Align with Goals

41:23 Climbing Your Health Ladder

44:18 Prioritise Impactful Changes

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