Looking back on October, Menopause Awareness Month, we will be highlighting conversations from across the Community related to menopause and cancer.
Members have been discussing menopausal symptoms related to their cancer treatment. Some members might be experiencing an early menopause due to their cancer treatment, or coping with a natural menopause whilst living with cancer. Members also discussed coping with menopause at the same time as caring for a loved one with cancer or during a bereavement.
Whatever your experience, the Online Community is here for you if you want to talk about any issues relating to menopause and cancer.
In the breast cancer forum, members have been talking about early or sudden menopause.
“Just getting used to the new me from the hormone therapy - I was put into a medical menopause with implants and take an aromatase inhibiter on top to stop all oestrogen. In all honesty, that has been far harder than chemo. Chemo was very tough at the time, but you know how long it's going to last and that you'll recover. Hormone therapy for me will be at least 5 years and the menopause is for life now. I know I was always going to go through menopause, but it has been a huge shock to the system to have it so suddenly and intensely!! And we can't even have phyto-oestrogen herbs to help with symptoms so it can be very tough at times” Community member, breast cancer forum
They shared more of their experience in another recent thread in the breast cancer forum,
"I was ER+/PR+/HER2- and went through chemotherapy, lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I was put into menopause during chemo with zoladex implants and then exemestane to stop any other oestrogen in my body plus bisphosphonate infusion every 6 months. I felt great when my energy levels returned after chemo but then they never fully recovered and menopause is taking it's toll. I simply don't have the energy levels I once had. Endless hot flushes and night sweats keep me tired and awake during the night and I think the exemestane can lower your immune system a bit as I've had 4 UTIs in the past year and a half, albeit mostly mild. If I overdo things, I really pay for it in terms of energy levels.
Things have significantly improved in terms of menopause symptoms over the almost 2 years since I was put into it, but I am still getting used to the new me.
Pacing myself is something I really need to be careful of nowadays. But on the plus side, my new mantra is to do more of the things I love and less of the things I don't - it has helped me focus on what is really important to me." Community member, breast cancer forum
Another member felt they shared their experience and mentioned a couple of things that have helped them.
“Yes - the whole journey and treatment makes me tired. I have to pace myself. I find eating well helps, as does exercise. But I do have days when I can't do very much at all.” Community member, breast cancer forum
We’re always sorry to hear that menopausal symptoms are adding to side effects of treatment and making it hard to cope with day-to-day life. We hope it helps to be able to share your experiences, hints and tips.
Members in the cervical cancer forum were also able to support each other with a shared experience,
“I had a radical hysterectomy exactly 2 weeks ago now where they took everything aside from my ovaries…The only thing that's concerning me at the moment is the fact I wake up every few hours at night drenched in sweat but quite cold. After I eat lunch I also get bolts of shivers for 30 mins or so before they vanish and I feel alright again. Is this normal?” Community member, cervical cancer forum
"I recently had a radical hysterectomy but they also removed my ovaries, so I was put on progesterone tablets immediately to stop me going into menopause. When I was in hospital, I also woke up most nights drenched in sweat and my skin felt incredibly oily. Since I got home that has subsided. Perhaps it would be a good idea to mention these symptoms when you have your next check up?" Community member, cervical cancer forum
"I have already mentioned it to my Gynae team and they said it sounds hormonal but to wait until my appointment with my consultant which they are chasing as it is now overdue." Community member, cervical cancer forum
Some Community members have mentioned that they are unable to take HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) following their diagnosis and have been talking about their experiences.
"I can no longer have HRT so menopause is back with a vengeance, hot flushes 4 or 5 times a night luckly brain fog hasn't started yet but I am sure it won't be long." Community member, breast cancer forum
"I had to come off HRT Estrogen so doing cold turkey…. Anyone else newly diagnosed with Lobular breast cancer?" Community member, breast cancer forum
If you're going through something similar, why not join in with the conversations? You can find the above conversations by clicking on the link at the end of each quote. Alternatively you might want to start your own discussion in one of our forums.
You can also join in with the conversations if you're supporting someone with cancer and they or you are also managing menopause symptoms. In our Carers Only forum, a member mentioned how menopause can be another challenge, on top of family needs, when caring for their husband through cancer treatment. When things get tough they find themselves coming to the Community for support.
"I’m at that point in my life when I have parents, who live far away, in need of help, and children in their late teens needing help with transition from life at home to life at university, and I am going through menopause. I feel like I could probably cope with the unpredictable demands of looking after my husband through his treatment, as long as none of those other things becomes an issue at the same time - when they do I find myself here." Community member, carers only forum
In our bereaved spouses and partners forum, a member mentioned menopause as another challenge when dealing with necessary paperwork after their husband's death.
"I still have loads of admin to do but I just find it difficult to concentrate and my memory is terrible but it’s menopausal brain fog as well as bereavement sadness. Hoping we can help each other out on here & pass on advice and comfort." Community member, bereaved spouses and partners forum
Both situations sound difficult to cope with at the best of times, without the added issue of menopausal symptoms. If you have any advice and comfort to share, you can join in with the conversation by clicking on the link at the end of the quote.
Please do keep talking and sharing your experience of menopause on the Community. If you're looking for more information, you can find more from Macmillan for Menopause Awareness Month here.
Click here for Macmillan’s trusted information pages about menopausal symptoms and cancer treatment .
If you have any questions or would like to offer any feedback about this blog, please do use the comments section below. We'll get back to you as soon as we can. You can also contact the team by email at community@macmillan.org.uk or send a PM to Moderator - Macmillan Community.
