Dr Corinne Menn: I’m a doctor who’s had breast cancer | The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

This week on the podcast, Dr Louise is joined by Dr Corinne Menn, a New York-based, board-certified OB-GYN and North American Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner, with more than 20 years of experience caring for women.
When she was 28, Corinne was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following her BRCA2+ diagnosis, she underwent multiple surgeries and chemotherapy then navigated pregnancy and menopause plus longer term survivorship issues.
Corinne received support from the Young Survival Coalition, an organisation that advocates for women under 40 with breast cancer, and worked with her oncologists to manage her pregnancy, menopause and treatment options.
She feels passionately that women who have or have had breast cancer receive individualised care and treatment for their cancer and menopause symptoms, and shares three tips to help with quality of life:
1. Do not minimise your menopausal symptoms, your hot flushes, your night sweats, sleep etc. So whether you use hormonal therapy or non-hormonal medications, make sure you get help and can sleep so you function better and breaking the vicious cycle of spiralling menopausal symptoms.
2. Please do not neglect vaginal sexual health. Again, if you can preserve a little bit of that, it can stop a negative cycle of suffering, of urinary tract infections and relationship and intimacy issues.
3. Scheduling time to have a separate appointment with your oncologist and your GYN. Come prepared. Listen to Louise's podcast. Listen to Menopause in Cancer podcast and Instagram page. Be empowered because you and your quality of life are worth it.
You can follow Corinne on Instagram at @drmennobgyn
Find out more about Newson Health at newsonhealth.co.uk.

[@nicolemerz1731]

Dr Corinne Menn is such an inspiration. Great to hear how her own BC experience changed the lives of so many women for the better!!! 💕

[@fionafrazer8820]

This is so interesting - I am a 77 yr old woman, who started menstruating at aged 10 (which was considered so early at the time), and went through menopause around 60. I had no symptoms of menopause - I just stopped menstruating, No hot flashes, no dryness - nothing other than developing osteoporosis, which my endocrinologist describes as severe! Earlier this year I was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a lumpectomy etc., radiation, and my oncologist then said she would like me to start taking a Tamoxifen alternative appropriate for post menopausal women, but wanted me to know that a side effect could be bone loss. As my osteoporosis is considered severe, I wasn't willing to take that chance, and asked if the hormone therapy was necessary. She then prescribed Tamoxifen (I wasn't offered any other alternative) and did discuss the potential side effects - blood clots etc. This troubled me, as I do have edema but agreed to do a three month trial. After one month, I have had what I can only imagine are the some of the same symptoms of menopause. Horrendous hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety - and I'm miserable. I reported this, and my oncologist asked me to stop Tamoxifen for a week, and then report back. I was told by the radiation oncologist that my risk of my cancer recurring was extremely low (My Onco score was 0) and he showed me statistics of recurrence in women my age. My oncologist has no such statistics, and seems to be of the opinion that I absolutely need to take something, as she doesn't want me to regret my decision a few years down the road if the cancer should come back. I really need some help - Blood clots, hot flashes or increased bone loss - or the risk of the cancer coming back. What to do?

[@anaf9314]

Thank you For these program. PLEASE DR. can you talk to us about the right leves or range of each hormone,so at least we can request them if our doctor doesn't want to order them or go over them with us.

[@inquisitive-surmenogirl]

I absolutely love listening to Dr. Menn - thank you. I do wish however that more drs would discuss young surgical menopause (where we had our uterus, both ovaries, cervix & tubes all removed) & progesterone use. I’m on estradiol.075 patch only. Some drs/ladies are saying I need to add in progesterone & testosterone while others tell me to do estradiol only. I’m so confused on progesterone.

[@nicolemerz1731]

@user-zg1uk2fg2z hello, i am no doctor but I think it would be most recommendable to start with bloodwork to determine levels. Then definitely Refill what is missing. Progesterone has so many benefits, it is not only there to protect the Uterus. For me it is the soothing effect on the brain (less anxiety) & it calms me down and most of all helps me fall asleep. I love my evening Progesteron pill🤩. Just listen to other Podcasts auf Dr Newson where she discusses all the benefits of progesterone. Good luck with your journey from Germany and thank you so much again, doctor Newton for your wonderful work 💕