Whether it's early menopause due to treatment, or going through menopause whilst living with cancer, menopause and cancer is something we often see being discussed on the Community. From hot flushes to mood swings, brain fog and fatigue, our members have been sharing their experiences and offering tips and support to one another.
To help raise awareness and break down taboos surrounding the menopause, this Friday, 3rd February ahead of World Cancer Day on 4th February, Macmillan’s National Clinical Adviser Dr Hannah Tharmalingam will take part in an Instagram Live event with cancer campaigner and broadcast journalist Helen Addis. Known to her followers on Instagram as @thetittygritty, Helen is dedicated to raising awareness around cancer, following her own experience of breast cancer.
Tune in to @thetittygritty’s Instagram at 10am on Friday 3rd February to hear Helen and Dr Hannah talk about cancer and the menopause, including advice on managing menopausal symptoms caused by some cancer treatments and how to get support from Macmillan. If you missed the discussion, you can watch it back in your own time here.
Did you know?
Dealing with the impact of a medical menopause on top of a cancer diagnosis can be frightening and isolating but it's important to know you're not alone.
Whatever anyone going through the menopause and cancer needs to ask, Macmillan Cancer Support is online and at the end of the phone to provide support.
For help and advice, contact the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (open Monday to Friday 8am-8pm), visit our website.
We're also sharing some conversations below, where Community members have talked about their experiences of menopause
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Explore our Community forums
Whatever your experience, you are not alone. Have you been affected by menopausal symptoms and want to find support? Comment below or browse our forums to talk to others who may be going through something similar.
References:
[1] Macmillan Cancer Support/YouGov survey of 8,955 UK adults, including 643 people who have ever had a cancer diagnosis, 386 of whom were female, including 63 under 50. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th September and 5th October 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults aged 18+. Question wording was as follows: Now thinking about your cancer diagnosis – which, if any, of the following have you experienced as a result of the impact of your cancer or the treatment for it on your hormones? (Please note, many of the issues mentioned below can affect both men and women with cancer – please select all that apply, relating to your personal experience)
