Hello and welcome to this very special episode of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast. I’m Dani Binnington — and today, I’m quietly announcing something deeply personal and long in the making: my book, Navigating Menopause After Cancer, is now published.

There’s no big media campaign, no marketing team, no fanfare — just me, sitting here with you, sharing this moment. Because this book was always just meant to be helping our community, I truly hope it will be a lifeline for those of us who’ve been left out of the menopause conversation for far too long.

In this episode, I:

• Read the poem She Let Go by Safire Rose — a reflection of what this moment means to me
• Share what you’ll learn from the book: from safe treatment options to symptom relief, to long-term health strategies
• Tell you the behind-the-scenes story of how the book came to life — from flights to Japan, to typing in the garden with a laptop in a cardboard box
• And, for the first time ever, I ask something of you: if the podcast has helped you, please consider buying a copy of the book and leaving a review so others can find it too.

This isn’t just a launch. It’s a letting go. And a hope that it reaches the people who need it most.

With all my love,

Dani x

Here is the link to: Navigating Menopause After Cancer: A comprehensive, empowering guide to all your treatment options, where to get helped how to feel better

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

Welcome to a special crossover episode of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast. Today’s episode is a little different. I’m joined by Shelley Syme — a young breast cancer survivor and the host of One Lump or Two, a brilliant podcast exploring life after cancer. Instead of recording two separate interviews, we hit record together and are sharing this conversation across both of our shows.

We dive into:

• Body image and body confidence after cancer treatment
• Dating with one boob
• What it really takes to feel sexy again in a changed body
• Using creativity to challenge beauty norms and reclaim power

Shelley uses photography as a powerful tool to confront body image pressures and celebrate body positivity. In her iconic image series — think Marilyn Monroe on the cover of Vogue, but with Shelley’s twist and her beautiful body exactly as it is now — she blends humour, art, and honesty to reshape how we view cancer survivorship.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever looked in the mirror and wondered, “How do I learn to love this version of me?”

You can find Shelley here: https://www.instagram.com/shelleyjsyme/

And remember to follow the show to never miss an episode!

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

09:03 Menopause Neglect in Cancer Treatment

11:12 Menopause and Cancer: Navigating Risks

17:12 Menopause Challenges in the Workplace

20:59 Struggling with Post-Cancer Self-Image

27:10 Intimacy Challenges Post-Menopause

30:35 Life Modelling Boosts Confidence

38:56 Focused Support for Cancer Survivors

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

Episode 172 - It’s Not HRT or Herbal – It’s What Works for You

In today’s episode, I’m doing something a little different. I’ve pulled together five short clips from past episodes of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast — covering everything from HRT after breast cancer, to herbal treatments, sleep support, and even intimacy after cancer.

Why? Because this week, my book Navigating Menopause After Cancer is officially at the printers — and I still can’t quite believe it! I wanted to share a little preview of what’s inside. These clips reflect the heart of the book: a holistic menopause after cancer toolkit with real expert advice, real options, and the belief that no one approach is better than another. It’s about finding what’s safe, what’s effective, and what works for you.

I always go to the right expert for the right topic — because that’s how we build truly trustworthy knowledge. I wouldn’t ask a cancer exercise specialist to talk about herbs, and I wouldn’t ask a herbalist about surgical recovery. Each voice in today’s mash-up speaks from the experience in their field.

These are just a few of the amazing contributors to the podcast — and I’m proud to say that over 20 brilliant doctors and specialists contributed to the actual book.

Below, I have linked all the full YouTube videos from the short clips. Just click on the words: Exercise, Herbal Medicine, Sleep, HRT after breast cancer, Intimacy

And finally, you can buy a copy of Navigating Menopause After Cancer super soon - keep your eyes peeled!

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

05:53 "Exercise Boosts Sleep, Reduces Depression"

07:54 Herbal Medicine Insights for Cancer Survivors

10:55 Phytoestrogens: Potential Cancer Benefits

13:49 "Zoe's Sleep Improvement Tips"

18:37 Navigating HRT Conversations After Cancer

22:55 Shared Decision-Making in HRT

27:21 Challenging Emotional Complexity Perceptions

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 final bonus episode before book launch day (hopefully!), I reflect on the bravery it takes to write and publish a book, and the courage and bravery I see in every member of our Menopause and Cancer community. That is you!

To start celebrating, I am joined by the brilliant Jane, a community member who turned her life around after cancer-induced menopause cost her four corporate jobs. Jane found her voice through poetry, and now performs on stage, sharing her story with raw honesty, humour, and heart.

In this episode, we talk about why showing up as your authentic self is the bravest thing you can do!

How Jane found creativity, confidence, and community after cancer.

And make sure to listen to the end, Jane shares a heartfelt poem that’ll make you laugh — and maybe blush!

Don’t miss next week’s episode, where I will share all the exciting launch details for my book Navigating Menopause After Cancer — and how you can be part of this movement.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

10:57 "Jane's Confidence Amid Life Challenges"

16:03 "Breaking Free from Self-Limitation"

21:02 Jane's Brave Authenticity

23:03 Poem, “To All Those Who Have Found Me Inappropriate and Unprofessional”

26:18 "Embracing Contradictions and Freedom"

28:07 "Cancer: Cracking Under Pressure"

32:34 Poem for “Unlikable Women”

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 powerful episode, Dani explores what happens when cancer changes everything, including your career. Whether it’s out of necessity or a deep desire to follow a new path, many of us find ourselves questioning what’s next after treatment. Together with Philippa and Kerry, two community members, they explore what happens during time off, what happens when we return to work, and what they've learned along the way.

Expect real talk, courage, and plenty of inspiration. Because starting again isn’t easy – but it is possible.

Philippa mentions getting together at the Kent Challenge - you can find more information here https://fundraiseformenopauseandcancer.raiselysite.com/kentdownsultrachallenge

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

04:05 Chemo Fear: Hair Loss and Identity

11:39 Fertility Concerns Amid Cancer Treatment

19:42 "Coping with Menopause After Cancer"

22:45 Unexpected Resilience Amid Cancer Battle

26:00 BRCA Genes and Life-Altering Choices

30:11 Adjusting Post-Cancer Treatment

34:33 Career Reflections

35:48 Navigating Cancer While Working NHS

50:11 Embrace Courage and Future Choices

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

Welcome to our fourth special bonus edition of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast, where I take you behind the scenes of writing Navigating Menopause After Cancer. In today’s episode, I will share with you the incredible story - and this can’t be a coincidence - of how the cover came to life. It was truly at this point that this book truly became a book from the community, for the community.

Dani’s guest and the designer of the beautiful cover for the book is Laura - you can find more information here https://www.laurawoussen.co.uk/

I’m so glad you’re here. It’s getting so close.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

02:02 How Dani and Laura met

08:02 Nerves before the publisher meeting

12:00 Book Production: A Complex Journey

13:15 Laura’s cancer journey

23:47 Creating boundaries within family

32:10 Coping with cancer anniversary

35:31 Renaming the book

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

You may be experiencing menopausal symptoms and side effects due to taking medications such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, also called endocrine therapy. You may wonder how much longer you can go on like this. And you may not know what your true benefit of being on these medications is for you.

So in today’s conversation, Dani is joined by breast speciality oncologist Dr Claire Macaulay, who looks after patients in a busy NHS hospital in Scotland. Dr Macaulay helps us understand how you can find out and what it means for individual patients.

Dani and Claire are also joined by a large group of our community who get to ask their questions and share how they are feeling.

Dr Macaulay explains:

• How oncologists work out the individual's benefit of endocrine therapy
• The difference between the older and the new version of the PREDICT tool
• Why patients don't just base decisions on facts alone
• What can we do if symptoms persist?

During the episode, Dani shares some helpful podcasts for you to help manage your symptoms.

- If you are listening to the podcast, start at Episode 141.

- If you are watching on Youtube, start here and work your way up.

A huge thank you to Dr Macaulay who is also a certified sex coach, supporting people in menopause to have improved sex lives.

You can find her here https://www.pleasurepossibility.com

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

08:16 Treatment Completion Challenges

18:55 Hormone Therapies

25:06 Managing Cancer Treatment Information Overload

27:59 PREDICT Score for Treatment Outcomes

35:55 Endocrine Therapy Concerns: Side Effects

40:13 Assessing Tamoxifen: Risks and Benefits

50:29 Managing Fear for Better Recovery

55:05 Balanced Living for Well-being

01:02:16 Recovery Requires Realistic Expectations

01:04:20 Medication Assessment Timeline

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

Episode 167 - Bonus Friday Episode 3 - Will it ever happen and “it takes a village”

Welcome to our third special bonus edition of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast, where I take you behind the scenes of what I have been working on for a very long time.

In this behind-the-scenes episode, I share the emotional rollercoaster of bringing Navigating Menopause After Cancer to life — from self-doubt to meeting the people who have been instrumental in making this happen. In fact, without them - I am sure - I would not have come this far!

It really does take a village and I am not sure when I will finally believe that “it’s actually really going to happen”?

I’m so glad you’re here. It’s getting so close.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

05:06 Seeking Editorial Help

10:30 "Finding Strength Through Expert Guidance"

14:24 Innovative Menopause Clinic Initiative

19:31 "Book Progress and Title Change"

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