The Menopause and Cancer Podcast Dani Binnington

In this week’s episode of The Menopause and Cancer podcast, Dani Binnington is joined by Dawn Totty. Dawn shares her personal experience of having to stop HRT because of her endometrial cancer diagnosis, and the unexpected life transformations that take place with a cancer diagnosis. Dawn speaks about her quest to find out her own risks vs. benefits of going back on HRT after her particular cancer diagnosis.
Dawn’s story is a testament to the power of self-advocacy as a patient and the incredible advantage that has for us.
For anyone who has not yet joined the walking challenge, here is the link: https://move-with-menopause-and-cancer.raisely.com/


About Dani:
The Menopause and Cancer Podcast is hosted by Dani Binnington, menopause guide, patients advocate for people in menopause after a cancer diagnosis, and founder of the online platform Healthy Whole Me. 
There is lots of information out there about the menopause but hardly any if you have had a cancer diagnosis as well. Many people say to me they have no idea what their options are, who to ask for help, and that they feel really isolated in their experiences. 
I started this podcast because there was nothing out there when I was thrown into surgical menopause at the age of 39, which followed on from my cancer diagnosis aged 33.
Through the episodes, I want to create more awareness, share information from our fabulous guest experts, doctors and other specialists in the cancer and menopause field. 
And of course, I will share stories from the people in our community.
So that together we can work towards a better menopause experience. For all of us.
More educated, better informed and less alone.
Connect with Dani:

Instagram @healthywholeme  
Facebook: @healthywholeme  
Website: menopauseandcancer.org 

Join Dani’s private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

For oodles of inspiration, healthy recipes, yoga classes and all round positivity go to her website: https://www.healthywholeme.com/

Systemic therapies to treat breast cancer can lead to a whole array of vaginal and urinary problems.
This is a huge survivorship issue that affects nearly 70% of postmenopausal, breast cancer survivors and even more in younger women.
These symptoms are often underdiagnosed and under-treated due to underreporting by the patients and limited awareness by professionals.
 
Are you suffering?  
Confused about what is safe for you? 

I am delighted to welcome Dr Glynne onto the podcast today. We will be discussing: 

What does the term genito-urinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) mean? It’s not all about dry vaginas! What other symptoms do we talk about?Why do these symptoms happen?What are our treatment options? Are vaginal oestrogens safe for all breast cancer survivors?What types of vaginal oestrogens are best?I share tips and helpful messages from our community!

The walking fundraising challenge I mentioned at the end of the podcast is here https://move-with-menopause-and-cancer.raisely.com/ Join us!

You can find Dr. Glynne here https://www.hcahealthcare.co.uk/finder/specialists/sarah-glynne

About Dani:
The Menopause and Cancer Podcast is hosted by Dani Binnington, menopause guide, patients advocate for people in menopause after a cancer diagnosis, and founder of the online platform Healthy Whole Me. 
There is lots of information out there about the menopause but hardly any if you have had a cancer diagnosis as well. Many people say to me they have no idea what their options are, who to ask for help, and that they feel really isolated in their experiences. 
I started this podcast because there was nothing out there when I was thrown into surgical menopause at the age of 39, which followed on from my cancer diagnosis aged 33.
Through the episodes, I want to create more awareness, share information from our fabulous guest experts, doctors and other specialists in the cancer and menopause field. 
And of course, I will share stories from the people in our community.
So that together we can work towards a better menopause experience. For all of us.
More educated, better informed and less alone.
Connect with Dani:

Instagram @healthywholeme  
Facebook: @healthywholeme  
Website: menopauseandcancer.org 

Join Dani’s private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

For oodles of inspiration, healthy recipes, yoga classes and all round positivity go to her website: https://www.healthywholeme.com/

On today’s episode, we are talking about the use of ‘magic mushrooms’, in the context of psychedelic therapy. 
Psychedelic therapy uses psychedelic plant compounds, such as LSD and psilocybin from “so-called magic mushrooms”, to de-stress, help with fear, worry, sadness and potentially improve quality of life.
And we’re in for a real treat.

Our guest on the show, Dr. Lauren MacDonald is not only going to talk about her professional experience as a clinical trial doctor at Imperial College London, but she is also going to tell us about the profound effect using psilocybin had on her and how that has changed the entire course of her career as a doctor. 

Lauren shares with us her incredible story of healing from stage 4 cancer, and will explain to us:

How does psilocybin work?Are magic mushrooms legal?How can I access psychedelic therapy?What does healing mean?


“My biggest lesson during my own experience with illness was the understanding that you can be declared cured without being healed just as you can experience healing without being cured.” 
Dr. Lauren MacDonald

You can find Dr. MacDonald here https://drlaurenmacdonald.com/my-journey

Here is more info about the research in the UK:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/psychedelic-research-centre/

The Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research are leading psychedelic research in the United Kingdom, building on over a decade of pioneering work in this area carried out at Imperial College London, including a clinical trial that has kick-started global efforts to develop psilocybin therapy into a licensed treatment for depression. 
About Dani:
The Menopause and Cancer Podcast is hosted by Dani Binnington, menopause guide, patients advocate for people in menopause after a cancer diagnosis, and founder of the online platform Healthy Whole Me. 
There is lots of information out there about the menopause but hardly any if you have had a cancer diagnosis as well. Many people say to me they have no idea what their options are, who to ask for help, and that they feel really isolated in their experiences. 
I started this podcast because there was nothing out there when I was thrown into surgical menopause at the age of 39, which followed on from my cancer diagnosis aged 33.
Through the episodes, I want to create more awareness, share information from our fabulous guest experts, doctors and other specialists in the cancer and menopause field. 
And of course, I will share stories from the people in our community.
So that together we can work towards a better menopause experience. For all of us.
More educated, better informed and less alone.
Connect with Dani:

Instagram @healthywholeme  
Facebook: @healthywholeme  
Website: menopauseandcancer.org 

Join Dani’s private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

For oodles of inspiration, healthy recipes, yoga classes and all round positivity go to her website: a href="https://www.healthywholeme.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Herbal medicine is the most common form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used by patients with cancer, with increasing use following a cancer diagnosis. Additionally, a staggering 73.6% of women in the menopausal period are thought to be using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). 
Since emerging new research and some exciting new studies are happening in this field, I wanted to revisit this important conversation about the use of herbal medicine.  

Our guest is Melinda McDougall, the vice president of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.  

The main worry amongst women with a history of cancer who are dealing with the menopause is around contraindications that come with taking herbal medication. And rightly so, these powerful plants are not to be underestimated.

In today’s episode, we will discover:

What is the real role of a medical herbalist?Is black cohosh safe for women with breast cancer?The real facts about plant oestrogens and why you might have to re-think what you know.Will red clover become a player in helping reduce cancer recurrence? Is a cup of herbal tea enough to ease symptoms?How could herbal medication help you stay on your long-term cancer treatment?Can herbal medication help with body and joint aches, low mood, hot flushes, poor sleep, and anxiety? 

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


The below website can help you look for contra-indications:

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs?fbclid=IwAR3sHS50LdxoGL8fFVkzhHUACOjyuYwQELLPPEg3sQCGD8k5MQUZTEnA5ww

Episode Mention: Does Herbal Medication Work? With Melinda McDougall & Anita Ralph

Connect with Dani:

Instagram @healthywholeme  
Facebook: @healthywholeme  
Website: menopauseandcancer.org 

Join Dani’s private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

For oodles of inspiration, healthy recipes, yoga classes and all round positivity go to her website: https://www.healthywholeme.com/

A few months ago I recorded a solo episode on alcohol - it was called ‘Alcohol and Me’ in which I shared my own thinking around drinking, not drinking and the difficulty that comes with not drinking socially. After its release, we had so many messages from listeners asking for more on this topic.
So, I am delighted to introduce you to Rosamund Dean, a journalist, author, mummy and breast cancer survivor. Rosamund is well known for her recent book Reconstruction, but did you know she also wrote a book on mindful drinking? 

I promise this will be a non-judgemental conversation full of Rosamund’s super helpful tips.

How to drink less if you’re not ready to give up?How to handle social situations?How to cut booze out completely?Do you drink because you do not want to say no to your friends and perhaps disappoint others?How not to feel guilty if you’ve had a drink?How to reframe drinking less and looking at the incredible positives that a ‘less-booze-filled-life’ has to offer!

Rosamund’s book Reconstruction: The new breast cancer guide that will boost your well-being and protect your physical and mental health post-diagnosis can be found here and her book Mindful Drinking is here.

You can find out more about Rosamund on her blog here.

Episode mention: Alcohol and Me 


Connect with Dani:

Instagram @healthywholeme  
Facebook: @healthywholeme  
Website: menopauseandcancer.org 

Join Dani’s private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

For oodles of inspiration, healthy recipes, yoga classes and all round positivity go to her website: https://www.healthywholeme.com/

Today on the podcast I am joined by my incredible husband Tim Binnington because cancer is always a family affair! 
As much as I want to ensure that we include women with a cancer diagnosis in the menopause conversation - I want to ensure we include everyone in the cancer conversation.

My life has changed so much since my diagnosis and I have changed as a person. But Tim’s life has also changed and today we want to share a little of that with you all.

After I lost my hair Tim went on to invent the Manta hair brush. An award winning ultra gentle brush for minimum hair breakage and maximum shine. You can find more about it here https://www.mantahair.com/

Tim is on a mission to change the way we brush our hair as he believes there is a revolutionary new way to do so.

Tim has been my rock and support and also my light and hope throughout all of my cancer story. Sharing this episode with gratitude and vulnerability.

About Dani:
The Menopause and Cancer Podcast is hosted by Dani Binnington, menopause guide, patients advocate for people in menopause after a cancer diagnosis, and founder of the online platform Healthy Whole Me. 
There is lots of information out there about the menopause but hardly any if you have had a cancer diagnosis as well. Many people say to me they have no idea what their options are, who to ask for help, and that they feel really isolated in their experiences. 
I started this podcast because there was nothing out there when I was thrown into surgical menopause at the age of 39, which followed on from my cancer diagnosis aged 33.
Through the episodes, I want to create more awareness, share information from our fabulous guest experts, doctors and other specialists in the cancer and menopause field. 
And of course, I will share stories from the people in our community.
So that together we can work towards a better menopause experience. For all of us.
More educated, better informed and less alone.
Connect with Dani:

Instagram @healthywholeme  
Facebook: @healthywholeme  
Website: menopauseandcancer.org 

Join Dani’s private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

For oodles of inspiration, healthy recipes, yoga classes and all round positivity go to her website: https://www.healthywholeme.com/