Introduction to Menopause and Cancer
Menopause and cancer is a charity that supports people who manage menopause after cancer treatment. Activists are demanding the support of menopause to the cancer treatment plans. The majority of people surveyed by menopause and cancer stated that they were not planned to manage the health changes caused by cancer treatment in menopause.
The Current State of Menopause Support
The founder and CEO of the charity, said the results were "no surprise". There is currently no direct way for the treatment of menopause that are included in cancer care plans. The charity is calling for improved training for medical specialists, better access to therapies and specialist care so that people can manage menopause safely and effectively.
Personal Experiences with Menopause and Cancer
The founder of the charity was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33, and her treatment prompted her to experience early menopause at the age of 39. She then set up the charity organization to support patients and lead workshops in order to equip medical specialists with better knowledge. Another patient, who was initially diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 46, was in hormone therapy to alleviate the symptoms of perimenopause, but only received a menopause management plan after she was diagnosed again in 2023.
The Need for Better Support
Support teams who have this specific experience are very stained. Another patient, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 50, said that she also had no instructions for the treatment of menopause through cancer treatment. A menopause specialist said that the focus in oncology is the treatment and survival of cancer and "less attention to the long-term quality of life, including menopause".
Falling Between the Cracks
Oncology, gynecology, and basic care cannot always be coordinated well so that the patients can fall between the cracks. The supply of menopause should be built into cancer care plans right from the start. This would ensure that patients receive the support they need to manage menopause safely and effectively.
