When you’re thrown into menopause after breast cancer treatment, the symptoms can feel relentless: hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety, joint pain, low mood to name a few.

And when conventional options feel limited, it is understandable that many people begin looking into herbal medicine.

But then the confusion starts.

- What herbal medicine actually is — and what it isn’t

- Is black cohosh safe?

- What about red clover and phyto-oestrogens?

- Are adaptogens like ashwagandha helpful — or risky?

- Could herbs interfere with endocrine therapy?

In this episode, we are joined by Melinda MacDougall, a qualified medical herbalist and we will go through all of your many questions.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

03:50 What Is Herbal Medicine?

18:49 "Holistic Approach to Herbal Healing"

19:57 "Tamoxifen and Herbal Interactions"

24:47 Black Cohosh: Menopause Symptom Relief

29:56 "Skullcap & Lemon Balm Benefits"

33:00 "Black Cohosh for Menopause"

34:38 Holistic Self-Care Matters

41:14 "Sea Buckthorn Supplement Tips"

43:55 "Misleading Supplements"

48:20 "Adaptogens: Stress-Modulating Herbs"

53:26 "Plant Oestrogens"

Here are some helpful links:

You can find Melinda here: https://www.melindamcdougall.com/

Here is an article on herbal medicine: https://menopauseandcancer.org/herbal-medicine-for-menopause-after-cancer-current-research/

Here is a great blog that lists Tamoxifen contraindications: https://owise.uk/tamoxifen-what-you-should-avoid/

Connect with us:

For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org

Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer

Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

In this honest and judgment-free conversation, Dani is joined by cancer survivors Emily and Anita to explore their relationship with alcohol after cancer and during menopause.

Together, they talk openly about questioning drinking habits, attempts to moderate or stop altogether, the social shifts that come with drinking less, and the impact on identity and relationships.

We know that no amount of alcohol is completely safe. Large studies show that alcohol increases the risk of at least seven different cancers, and it can also worsen menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, and anxiety. But this episode isn’t about shame or blame.

It’s an invitation to reflect — gently and without judgement — on your own relationship with alcohol.

Whether you drink occasionally, regularly, or not at all, this conversation creates space to pause and ask: Is this still serving me?

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

06:41 "Finding My People Alcohol-Free"

13:20 "Alcohol-Free Holiday Journey"

16:37 "Redefining Roles When Sober"

24:34 "Sober Struggle with Moderation"

26:37 "Authentic Connections Without Alcohol"

30:26 Alcohol, Endometriosis, and Regret

32:03 Alcohol, Cancer, and Self-Blame

35:14 "Individual Choices in Health"

41:06 "Sober Journey, New Experiences"

These are the websites Anita and Emily mention:

https://besober.co.uk/ and https://soberbutterfly.com/

You can find Anita here https://yogaandsoundwithanita.co.uk/

And Emily here https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-lunn-4931b3106/

Connect with us:

For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org

Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer

Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

In this episode of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Susanna Unsworth, GP and menopause specialist at the Cambridge breast unit, to talk about why menopause after cancer can sometimes feel like such a complex and at times controversial area of medicine.

We explore why medical opinions can differ, why this space is not always black and white, and what happens when new research starts to challenge long-held assumptions.

A big focus of this conversation is the PIONEER trial, a Cambridge-led study looking at whether megestrol acetate — a drug that acts on the progesterone receptor — could be used alongside standard anti-oestrogen treatment in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and how it may also help with hot flushes!

It’s a bit mind-blowing when you think that all we hear all the time is NO to any HORMONES after breast cancer!

So we talk about why that finding has caught so much attention.

We also talk about the very real emotional burden of endocrine therapy, the impact on quality of life, and why so many patients feel stuck between wanting to reduce recurrence risk and wanting to feel more like themselves again.

Susanna also shares how the Cambridge breast unit is developing its menopause service, including group education sessions to help prepare patients earlier and improve access to support.

This is a really thoughtful conversation about evidence, uncertainty, quality of life, and why people affected by cancer deserve honest, nuanced menopause care.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction

04:49 "World Menopause & Cancer Day"

06:21 GP Turned Women's Health Specialist

09:44 "Menopause, Breast Cancer, and Controversies"

13:29 Progesterone Trial Slows Cancer Growth

17:13 Hormonal Interplay and Cancer Risk

22:40 "Balancing Treatment Choices Carefully"

26:46 "Menopause, Social Media, and HRT"

32:05 Creating seminars to deliver information to more women

About my guest

Dr Susanna Unsworth is a GP and menopause specialist working within the breast unit in Cambridge, supporting patients experiencing menopause symptoms after breast cancer treatment. She also works more broadly in women’s health and community gynaecology. You can find her here: You can find Susanna here https://cambridgewomenshealth.co.uk/about

Resources and links

1. The Cambridge-led PIONEER trial article is here https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/hot-flush-treatment-has-anti-breast-cancer-activity-study-finds

Connect with us:

For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org

Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer

Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub