Episode 181 - From Caterpillar to Butterfly: Young, Diagnosed and in Menopause

In this episode, I speak with Laura – a young cancer survivor who was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (a form of cervical cancer) at just 31 years old. Like so many others, her treatment pushed her into early menopause, and she was left with more questions than answers.

Laura opens up about:

• The emotional shock of menopause in her early 30s
• What she wishes someone had told her when symptoms started
• The turning point that came with seeing a menopause specialist
• Why art and creative expression became her unexpected lifeline
• How she’s felt herself slowly transforming — from caterpillar to butterfly, wings a little clipped, but flying nonetheless

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

09:15 Navigating Menopause After Cancer

11:30 Unmonitored HRT, Chronic Fatigue Struggle

14:49 Navigating Life Post-Cancer Treatment

18:39 Delayed Diagnosis and Sharing Experiences

22:34 "Sharing Cancer and Menopause Journeys"

27:02 "Trusting Intuition & Menopause Guidance"

29:25 "Feeling Seen and Understood"

31:55 Improving Patient Access Initiative

35:24 Rediscovering Art Through Life's Changes

Buy my book here: Navigating Menopause After Cancer: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Navigating-Menopause-After-Cancer-comprehensive/dp/1068499907

Laura’s Instagram is here: https://www.instagram.com/art.is.healing/?hl=en

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