balance for Cancer Support
You have already experienced – or are currently going through – one of the hardest times you’ve ever had to face in your life. Whether your cancer and treatment occurred years ago, or is still happening now, you’ve already had to deal with a lot and there will have been times when you felt frightened and overwhelmed.
Hopefully, you’re now ready to begin thinking about your menopausal symptoms and future health, and make some choices that have the potential to positively affect the rest of your life.
The information on this page and the menopause library provided is designed to support, not replace, the relationship you have with your doctor or nurse.
Cancer support resourcesMenopause & cancer
Although most women will go through their menopause naturally, certain treatments for cancer can trigger an early menopause.
Going through an early menopause, as a result of cancer treatment, can be distressing; you may feel isolated and confused about the changes.
The onset of an early menopause can be sudden and symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness and mood changes can be hard to cope with, alongside your cancer diagnosis and treatment. That is why it is so important to be prepared for the occurrence of menopausal symptoms and to ask for support when you need it.
Making decisions about treatments during cancer care
If you have been diagnosed with a cancer that is sensitive to hormones, such as an estrogen-receptor positive cancer, you may be offered cancer treatment involving direct manipulation of your hormones by medication or by surgery that will stop your body’s production of estrogen, progesterone or testosterone.
Discussing treatment options can feel overwhelming at that time and it can be difficult to take in information from your cancer care team about the pros and cons of different medications or possible surgeries. You may also find it hard to convey your own desires and concerns or feel that they’re going to have any real influence on the medical plan being made.
The below resources are here to guide you through this process.
Menopause treatment & cancer resources
Making decisions about treatments during cancer care Factsheet
Supporting informed choicesIf you have been diagnosed with a cancer that is […]
A young woman’s guide to menopause after treatment for cancer Booklet
This booklet is written by Ellie Waters and Dr Louise Newson to […]
Making decisions about treatments during cancer care: questions for informed choices
Consultant urologist, Steve Payne has treated patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) […]
Been through breast cancer Booklet
Want to know more about HRT and breast cancer? If you’ve had […]
Family history of breast cancer: Should I take HRT? Factsheet
This factsheet is for you if you have a family history of […]
Menopause and cancer Booklet
This booklet has been created for women who may experience an early […]
Menopause and breast cancer [Video]
Four Newson Health GPs discuss the principles and challenges of treating the […]
Know that you're not alone.
Know that you're not alone.
At balance, we are humbled that many inspirational women, partners and families share their personal stories and experiences of cancer and menopause with us in pursuit of acting as a source of support to others, whilst dealing with their own situation.
Browsing the stories below may act as a source of support for you. Alternatively, if you’d like to experience support in a more active capacity, download our balance app where people share stories and interact in the community section.
Community stories
128Making decisions about cancer treatment and the importance of quality of life with Steve Payne
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by a long-time friend, […]
My story: the double whammy of breast cancer and menopause
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2012. It was a […]
139‘How my life experience has influenced me as a doctor’ with Dr Naomi Jiagbogu
Dr Louise Newson met Dr Naomi Jiagbogu over a decade ago at […]
My story: From doctor to patient
This moving experience comes from Mel, a GP, who found herself on […]
029Life after breast cancer – Kirsty Lang and Dr Louise Newson
Dr Louise Newson chats with journalist Kirsty Lang
Ellie’s Story: Going Through a Teenage Menopause
Published: 2nd October 2020 When Ellie Waters was 14 years old, she was […]
085Medical Menopause – Emma McAuley & Dr Louise Newson
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Emma McAuley, a […]