The sixth episode in the HRT after breast cancer series features Lisa Colclough and Helen Widner, two breast cancer patients who decided to go down two very different routes. Helen decided to start testosterone pellet therapy whilst being on aromatase inhibitors, whilst Lisa decided to restart her HRT soon after her breast cancer treatment.

This mini-series explores hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after breast cancer, a controversial and emotive subject. The conversation focuses on the further understanding of risks and benefits of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or also MHT (menopause hormone therapy), the emotional impact on patients, and the different views among medical professionals.

The goal is to provide understanding for patients seeking HRT after breast cancer and insight for doctors on how to move forward without robust evidence. Dani Binnington, host of the Menopause And Cancer podcast, and founder of the not-for-profit organisation Menopause And Cancer has spoken to hundreds of women who feel like they are in a void and have nowhere to turn to in discussing this difficult topic. Welcome to our HRT after breast cancer series.

In this episode we discuss:

What was the hardest part about menopause for each of them?

We explore why Helen and Lisa thought about using hormone replacement therapy after their breast cancer diagnosis.

Lisa discusses not being heard as a patient and why she was made to take action without her doctor’s support.

Helen discusses the hurdles to accessing testosterone pellet therapy in the UK.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro.

05:13 Postmenopausal risk versus benefits of aromatase inhibitors.

08:36 Difficulties with tamoxifen, switched to HRT.

11:58 Brain fog impacted daily life, resembling dementia.

28:47 Desire for informed discussion about medical decisions.

35:45 Research led to considering testosterone implants with AI.

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