\n
When Jo Menneer was diagnosed with breast cancer, she knew undergoing treatment would be a difficult process. What she did not anticipate was the challenge of navigating the menopause afterwards.<\/b><\/p>\n
Before her diagnosis in 2022, Jo, now 55, from East Yorkshire, had been taking hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) to manage the menopause.<\/p>\n
Part of her treatment included surgery, which meant she had to stop taking HRT, and is still unable to use it.<\/p>\n
“For me personally, my menopause symptoms came back with a vengeance almost immediately,” she says.<\/p>\n
“As well as recovering from surgery, which is quite gruelling, to then be mixed with hot flushes, aching limbs, brain fog, up and down emotions – I felt like I’d gone back about 10 years.”<\/p>\n
According to the NHS, external<\/span>, menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels, and symptoms usually begin between the ages of 45 and 55.<\/p>\nHowever, people can experience menopause earlier or at an increased rate. <\/p>\n
This can be brought on by a number of factors, including certain hormone medicines, ovarian surgery or treatment for some types of cancer.<\/p>\n
Chemotherapy, pelvic radiotherapy, stem cell transplantation and surgery can all trigger menopause, on a temporary or permanent basis.<\/p>\n
Jo and others say they were not prepared for this aspect of their treatment’s side effects, and are calling for greater awareness and support to be made available.<\/p>\n
“You’re battling at the time with the diagnosis and the treatment and the surgery and how that’s going to impact you,” Jo explains.<\/p>\n
“I never in my life thought that it would impact my menopause and it was never discussed. So it was a bit of a shock.”<\/p>\n
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said its National Cancer Plan would ensure patients had a personalised plan “so the long-term effects of treatment, including menopause, are recognised and built into their ongoing care”.<\/p>\n
Jo volunteers with Menopause and Cancer, a non-profit which advocates for accessible services for patients navigating the menopause after cancer. <\/p>\n
She helps to run a support group in York, and calls it “life-changing and life-affirming in the same breath” to find a community of others in a similar position. <\/p>\n
“You suddenly find this pocket of people that you can completely relate to.<\/p>\n
“Because I didn’t have a great experience, I feel I can support those that are in an earlier stage than me, so that they get the support even if I didn’t.”<\/p>\n
Any information offered should be available from the start of someone’s treatment journey and tailored to each individual, she adds.<\/p>\n
“Everyone’s experience with menopause is different. <\/p>\n
“Having a toolkit signposting services that could be relevant for you and then you are empowered to pick the ones that suit you, that would be the perfect scenario.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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