17/10/2026
💜 Tomorrow is World Menopause Awareness Day.
For many women, cancer treatment doesn't just fight the disease, it can trigger menopause suddenly and at any age. Unlike natural menopause, treatment-induced menopause can come on abruptly, with little warning, and the symptoms can be intense.
A few things that can help:
🌬️ Managing hot flushes: keeping cool with layers, a fan at night, and avoiding common triggers such as caffeine, alcohol and spicy food can make a real difference. Some women find that mindfulness and slow breathing techniques help in the moment.
😴 Sleep: night sweats can severely disrupt sleep, which in turn affects mood, energy and resilience. A cool bedroom, breathable bedding and a consistent bedtime routine all help. If sleep is significantly affected, talk to your GP.
💬 Talk to your medical team: treatment-induced menopause is a known side effect and your oncologist or GP can discuss options, including non-hormonal medications that may help with symptoms. HRT may not be suitable for everyone, but there are alternatives worth exploring.
🧘 Gentle exercise: regular gentle movement such as yoga or walking supports mood, bone density and energy levels, all of which can be affected by menopause.
💙 You're not alone: connecting with others who understand, through peer support groups, can be enormously reassuring. At Wessex Cancer Support, our groups are free and open to anyone affected by cancer.
💜 Find our wellbeing resources: https://www.wessexcancer.org.uk/useful-resources/