The Menopause and Cancer Podcast

Do you know your rights to work after a cancer diagnosis and with ongoing menopause symptoms?
From navigating time off, to returning to work, to managing menopause symptoms in the workplace, it can feel overwhelming to know what your rights are and what support you should expect.
I’m joined by Barbara Wilson, from Working With Cancer, who brings over 50 years of experience supporting people through cancer at work.
Together, we break this down in a really practical way— so you can feel more informed and more confident in advocating for yourself.
In this episode, we cover:
Whether cancer is automatically considered a disability under UK law
Your rights when returning to work after treatment
What a good return-to-work plan should actually look like
What “reasonable adjustments” mean — and real-life examples
What counts as discrimination in this context
How much do you need to disclose about your diagnosis (including when applying for a job)
Whether menopause is recognised as a disability under UK law
How treatment-induced menopause after cancer is considered in the workplace
Whether employers are expected to support menopause symptoms

Episode Highlights:
00:00 Introduction
06:31 Supporting employees with cancer
08:07 Discussing cancer diagnoses and menopause
13:38 Creating flexible workplace plans
15:29 Discussing cancer disclosure at work
20:23 Discussing return to work planning
22:00 Discussing phased return to work
28:48 Supporting employees with health challenges
31:22 Menopause and post-cancer life changes
37:16 Flexible work schedule adjustments
43:07 Reevaluating work after cancer diagnosis
44:39 Easing back into work
47:52 Disclosing cancer to an employer
Link to Working with Cancer: https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/
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 very special community conversation, I sit down with a group of incredible women from our Menopause and Cancer community to explore something so many of us struggle with after cancer treatment… identity. I’m so grateful the group allowed me to get this conversation out to you! Lucky us.
Who are we now?
Together, we talk openly about the physical and emotional changes that can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves — from body image and confidence, to work, relationships, grief, loss, purpose and rebuilding.
Rather than bringing in an expert, I thought it might be best to just have an honest conversation, share experiences and learn from one another. Because the wisdom in our community is WONDERFUL!
What became clear throughout this discussion is that so many of us are living in what I call “the messy middle” — no longer who we were before cancer, but not yet fully arrived in who we are becoming.
If you’ve ever felt lost, changed, disconnected or uncertain about your place in the world after treatment, this episode is for you.
YouTube Wellness Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsUEBZ4ZwowoJ0t4pV-gmwGSqruDPm-2P&si=7UE81giK-2v5eByM
Episode 214 - What It Really Feels Like & And Your Questions Answered: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-214-what-it-really-feels-like-and-your/id1631842514?i=1000762984322
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Introduction
03:18 Exploring identity and personal growth
07:51 The jar and pebbles analogy
12:31 Coping with treatment and diagnosis
13:49 Discussing challenges of societal expectations
16:47 Struggles with overthinking and doubt
22:47 Facing the unknown post-treatment
23:47 Sharing post-cancer treatment experiences
29:24 Reflecting on life after cancer
32:42 Coping after a mastectomy
35:11 Morning mirror positivity trick
40:24 Navigating daily challenges with compassion
45:36 Navigating menopause and survivorship
47:42 Reflecting on personal growth journey
49:40 Focusing on self-care and being present
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, I’m joined by Rob and Andy, two partners navigating life alongside their wives through cancer and menopause.
I actually asked in our Facebook community if anyone’s partners would be willing to come on the podcast… and these two were put forward by their wives — earning themselves serious brownie points in the process.
This is a really honest conversation about what it feels like to be on the other side.
We talk about the overwhelm, the uncertainty, and that feeling of wanting to help but not always knowing how. From the emotional impact to the mood changes, this episode sheds light on a perspective we don’t hear enough about.
Because supporting someone through cancer and menopause doesn’t come with a manual — and partners need support and understanding too.
And yes - I did bring up intimacy and low libido - and they did not just quit the call! I am so grateful to Rob and Andy! Thank you so much!
If this resonates, do share this episode with your partner — so we can include them in this conversation too.
This one is for you… and for them.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Introduction
04:13 Discovering and diagnosing cancer
14:49 Discussing menopause challenges and support
18:50 Discussing impacts of menopause
21:49 Challenges in managing menopause symptoms
22:55 Dealing with post-cancer anxiety
30:41 Discussing intimacy post-cancer
34:43 Importance of communication in relationships
37:46 Discussing menopause and HRT advice
42:05 Discussing medically induced menopause
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, I’m joined by the incredible Lisa, founder of Make 2nds Count and The House of Hope charity in Edinburgh, who is living with secondary breast cancer while continuing to support so many others.
This is an honest, heartfelt conversation about what it really means to live with ongoing cancer treatment. I ask Lisa if she feels excluded from other menopause conversations and even from the many cancer chats out there.
We talk about saying it as it is, the emotional reality of menopause and secondary cancer, and the strategies that help day-to-day, alongside the strength, purpose and perspective that can still exist within it all.
Lisa’s work has been a shining light for me personally, especially when I was building Menopause and Cancer and recording this episode while one of our community support sessions was taking place at The House of Hope felt like a real full-circle moment.
We also share more about our upcoming Menopause Awareness Day event on the 18th June, which we’ll be marking at The House of Hope. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter here https://menopauseandcancer.org/, and we will let you know of all of our upcoming events!
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Intro
03:55 Founding Scotland's first support center
09:31 Menopause and cancer diagnosis discussions
12:52 Discussing treatment decisions and surgery
18:27 Discussing menopause treatment options
20:36 Navigating menopause and chemo challenges
26:06 Founding a Make 2nds Count and The House of Hope
27:50 Starting a charity from my hospital bed
33:34 Charitable collaborations and community building
37:59 Balancing work and mindfulness
40:25 Menopause workshop
Links:
House of Hope: https://houseofhope.org.uk/
Make 2nds count: https://make2ndscount.co.uk/
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, I’m joined by GP and menopause specialist Dr Helen Wall, and we’re exploring something that so many of you have been talking about in our community — struggling with brain fog, focus, memory, total overwhelm, and that feeling of just not feeling like you can manage anymore.
We often call it brain fog. But what if, for some of us, it could be something more?
Today, we’re diving into ADHD in women, and how it can show up — or become more noticeable — during menopause and after, especially cancer treatment.
Because the reality is, many women are only being diagnosed later in life. And for those of us navigating sudden menopause, hormonal changes, and the impact of cancer treatment, it can feel even more confusing to understand what’s really going on in our brains.
This episode is here to help you make sense of it all.
We also talk about:
How do I know what’s what?
Does lifestyle help my ADHD brain?
Can you take ADHD medication after cancer?
And so much more.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Intro
06:55 Discussing menopause and mental load
10:04 Navigating neurodivergence and perimenopause
16:24 ADHD, oestrogen, and perimenopause link
17:58 The impact of menopause on brain function
22:38 Lack of education on female hormones
25:43 Understanding ADHD in women and girls
28:07 Challenges with post-cancer employment and support
34:08 ADHD medication challenges and support
39:24 ADHD and diet considerations
44:45 Navigating ADHD and menopause
You can find Helen’s book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Menopause-ADHD-neurodivergence-Vermilion-Empowered/dp/178504642X
And this is Helen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorhelenwall/
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