Endometrial cancer, the menopause and HRT

In this week’s episode Dr Louise is joined by one of her patients, Lesley Henry, a nurse who lives in Northern Ireland. Lesley shares her experience of menopause, which started before she received a diagnosis of endometrial cancer.
Her treatment for cancer led to a surgical menopause, which she found debilitating. Lesley explains she feared her brain fog and fatigue would prevent her from returning to work and from caring for her mother.
A firm believer in the importance of quality of life, Lesley decided to resume taking HRT. She hopes to help other women who are going through similar experiences and shares the things that have given her the strength to make decision about her treatment and her life:
1. I have a faith. Not everybody will have the same faith as I have, and that's fine, but I think having a faith helps.
2. Be proactive and find support groups. Through Action Cancer I learnt about scar therapy, which has helped, plus I completed a positive living programme to learn how to re-energise and rebuild my life.
3. Be prepared to say goodbye to the old you. She's not coming back and in a way, she needs to go.
4. Trust in yourself and listen to your heart. You are worthwhile and your life matters.
Find out more about Newson Health at newsonhealth.co.uk

[@wendyhandy9065]

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[@Hollowmoon007]

The fears of cancer, it seems to be one of the biggest concerns preventing women from taking hrt. Even though it has already been addressed, I think it would help to continue to consistently address it during each episode, Dr. Newson. Also, it really resonated with me when Ms. Henry said the old her was mad. This time of life is feeling very much misunderstood, blamed as character issues, when it is medical and can be treated. Thank you for your inspiring and educational episodes supporting women’s health and quality of life. From across the pond! ❤

[@Katepwe]

In December of 2020 at age 58, I was diagnosed with 1A endometrial cancer and had a total hysterectomy in early January 2021. Before that I had lots of menopausal symptoms without any real help, except being prescribed an antidepressant and vagifem until after the surgery when a midlife women’s clinic opened in my area. I was finally able to get estradiol which helped but sleep was still awful and then just 3 months ago was finally given progesterone. That has helped but I still feel tired, have no motivation and just don’t really care about most things….it feels like there’s something still missing. The NP suggested waiting 3 months to see how I responded to the progesterone before starting testosterone. Now that those three months are up I need to wait another 3 months to get an appointment then after that it can take up to 6 months to a year to see benefits. I feel like I’ve missed out on the last several years and now still have to wait.

[@charleedell92]

That to me sounds like one of those situations where if at all possible it's worth putting our principles aside and paying for the treatment you need, when you need it, because life is precious and you won't get that time back.

[@nicolemerz1731]

What a lovely lady on your show today. Respect for how she deals with her situation 💪 Best wishes to her from Germany 🇩🇪

[@CM-pn1lk]

❤ loved this, thank you Louise for organising, and Lesley for sharing. She is right, you are brilliant!!