Breast Cancer & Menopause

The best person to talk to if you are experiencing menopause symptoms is your doctor. They have all your medical history and the advice you were previously given will depend on your medical history. If you have had cancer or are under a family history clinic or other specialists then you can talk to your specialist team.

You can also find an array of helpful information on the British Menopause Society website and the patient arm: Women’s Health Concerns (WHC)

It’s important not to take advice from Facebook groups and personal blogs as these writers are not medical professionals and don’t always have accurate information because information is based on personal opinions and experiences which may not be appropriate for your circumstances. There has been a lot of misinformation about women’s health and menopause online since the rise of social media. Therefore, it’s important to always follow advice from a medical professional.

For women being treated for menopause symptoms with HRT, it has been found that there is a small increased risk of breast cancer whilst on HRT. The chance increases with long-term treatment in older post-menopausal women. However, short-term treatment with modern forms of HRT is extremely safe and is unlikely to increase the risk of cancer in most women.

Once your menopause symptoms settle down, it’s recommended that you tail off HRT if possible as benefits of longer term treatment may be outweighed by risks. This is something that you can discuss with your doctor. You may choose to take HRT for longer because your menopause symptoms haven’t resolved but you need to be aware of your individual risks, which should be explained by your doctor to allow you to make a proper informed decision.

HRT is not usually recommended during chemotherapy for breast cancer. There are non-hormone medications and some types of therapy that can help with hot sweats, flushes, mood changes and sleep problems associated with menopause symptoms during chemotherapy.

The support and treatment you need are likely to be very individual and you should talk to your cancer team and your doctor about the best plan for you. If you have vaginal symptoms some medications can be used including vaginal treatments to help. Sometimes vagina oestrogen can be used during and after chemotherapy for breast cancer as it doesn’t get absorbed into the whole body, but again, it’s something to discuss with your cancer team.

Navigating the changes in your body that menopause brings can feel overwhelming and daunting. However, there are many ways other than HRT that can help ease your symptoms.

Vaginal dryness is very common during menopause, even in women who are on HRT. Therefore, using vaginal moisturiser lubricants and sometimes vaginal oestrogen can be used to relieve any discomfort and allow you to manage the symptom.

When it comes to hot sweats and flushes and brain fog, lifestyle makes a big difference. For example, if you’re very stressed, have anxiety, don’t exercise regularly or if you have complex health issues, they can all factor into the severity of your symptoms – you can have more control over your symptoms than you think. If your symptoms don’t respond to lifestyle strategies then several safe non-hormone medications can help, book an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options.

The impact of menopause and your work is very individual. Some women may find they need no support whilst others may find themselves struggling more at work. Therefore, the UK Government has encouraged menopause work policies for larger employers, as a result. If you are struggling, it’s important to talk to your line manager about what reasonable adjustments could help you.

If your symptoms are affecting you beyond work, consider seeking help and advice from your doctor. There are a lot of simple strategies that can help at work but it depends on what your specific concerns and difficulties are.

Self-care is often neglected in midlife women and that is the age at which perimenopause tends to start. We’re not talking about spa trips and facials, instead focus on your nutrition, prioritising time for exercise, respecting your need for good quality sleep, ring-fencing time for social interaction and other things that make you happy. Prioritising the need to moderate alcohol and stop smoking can also help reduce stress and menopause symptoms.

It’s important to look at your priorities and see if you’re just simply overcommitted and the way things are going may be unsustainable.

I decided to undergo a hysterectomy to reduce my risk of ovarian cancer, too – a massive decision at just 35 years old, especially as it would trigger early menopause.

– Read Michelle Heaton’s blog.

As my cancer was oestrogen driven, my body needs to be starved of oestrogen to stop the cancer from coming back, which also means a medically induced menopause at 33 years old.

– Read Lianne Marsh’s blog.

My healthy ovaries were removed in March 2016 through keyhole surgery and a success. There was the early menopause to contend with, but a small price to pay.

– Read Gemma Moran’s blog.