In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Lisa, founder of Make 2nds Count and The House of Hope charity in Edinburgh, who is living with secondary breast cancer while continuing to support so many others.

This is an honest, heartfelt conversation about what it really means to live with ongoing cancer treatment. I ask Lisa if she feels excluded from other menopause conversations and even from the many cancer chats out there.

We talk about saying it as it is, the emotional reality of menopause and secondary cancer, and the strategies that help day-to-day, alongside the strength, purpose and perspective that can still exist within it all.

Lisa’s work has been a shining light for me personally, especially when I was building Menopause and Cancer and recording this episode while one of our community support sessions was taking place at The House of Hope felt like a real full-circle moment.

We also share more about our upcoming Menopause Awareness Day event on the 18th June, which we’ll be marking at The House of Hope. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter here https://menopauseandcancer.org/, and we will let you know of all of our upcoming events!

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

03:55 Founding Scotland's first support center

09:31 Menopause and cancer diagnosis discussions

12:52 Discussing treatment decisions and surgery

18:27 Discussing menopause treatment options

20:36 Navigating menopause and chemo challenges

26:06 Founding a Make 2nds Count and The House of Hope

27:50 Starting a charity from my hospital bed

33:34 Charitable collaborations and community building

37:59 Balancing work and mindfulness

40:25 Menopause workshop

Links:

House of Hope: https://houseofhope.org.uk/

Make 2nds count: https://make2ndscount.co.uk/

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