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The Menopause and Cancer PodcastAuthor: Dani Binnington Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine, Mental Health Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 211- The PIONEER Trial: Rethinking Hormones After Breast Cancer?
Episode 211
Tuesday, 31 March, 2026
In this episode of The Menopause and Cancer Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Susanna Unsworth, GP and menopause specialist at the Cambridge breast unit, to talk about why menopause after cancer can sometimes feel like such a complex and at times controversial area of medicine.We explore why medical opinions can differ, why this space is not always black and white, and what happens when new research starts to challenge long-held assumptions.A big focus of this conversation is the PIONEER trial, a Cambridge-led study looking at whether megestrol acetate — a drug that acts on the progesterone receptor — could be used alongside standard anti-oestrogen treatment in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and how it may also help with hot flushes!It’s a bit mind-blowing when you think that all we hear all the time is NO to any HORMONES after breast cancer!So we talk about why that finding has caught so much attention.We also talk about the very real emotional burden of endocrine therapy, the impact on quality of life, and why so many patients feel stuck between wanting to reduce recurrence risk and wanting to feel more like themselves again.Susanna also shares how the Cambridge breast unit is developing its menopause service, including group education sessions to help prepare patients earlier and improve access to support.This is a really thoughtful conversation about evidence, uncertainty, quality of life, and why people affected by cancer deserve honest, nuanced menopause care.Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction04:49 "World Menopause & Cancer Day"06:21 GP Turned Women's Health Specialist09:44 "Menopause, Breast Cancer, and Controversies"13:29 Progesterone Trial Slows Cancer Growth17:13 Hormonal Interplay and Cancer Risk22:40 "Balancing Treatment Choices Carefully"26:46 "Menopause, Social Media, and HRT"32:05 Creating seminars to deliver information to more women About my guestDr Susanna Unsworth is a GP and menopause specialist working within the breast unit in Cambridge, supporting patients experiencing menopause symptoms after breast cancer treatment. She also works more broadly in women’s health and community gynaecology. You can find her here: You can find Susanna here https://cambridgewomenshealth.co.uk/aboutResources and linksThe Cambridge-led PIONEER trial article is here https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/hot-flush-treatment-has-anti-breast-cancer-activity-study-findsConnect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub
