Toral Shah, Nutritional Scientist, Integrative Oncology and Functional Medicine practitioner at Toral Shah – Integrative Health, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“As someone who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the tender age of 29, I know first hand how difficult and perplexing it can be to recognise and manage the symptoms of clinical / early menopause. My initial experience with tamoxifen in 2008 brought on severe vaginal dryness and discomfort within days. Simple activities became impossible—sitting at my desk, taking a walk, even contemplating a social life. Despite consultations with multiple specialists, I encountered only puzzled expressions and inadequate solutions. After three weeks of suffering without answers, I made the difficult decision to discontinue the medication entirely.
Fast forward to 2018, and my second diagnosis and the phenomenal care from Sarah Adomah included preventative measures: vaginal estrogen and a reduced tamoxifen dosage to minimize side effects. Though I still had to stop after two months due to severe headaches, this more thoughtful approach inspired me to dive into the research. Armed with evidence, I began advising my patients to request vaginal estrogen alongside their tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor regimens.
In 2021, Emma Kipps assumed responsibility for my oncology care, implementing a carefully calibrated approach: a quarter-dose of tamoxifen complemented by vaginal estrogen therapy. Though oncology teams and clinical nurse specialists now recognize menopausal side effects, the quality of care remains inconsistent across different regions. Dani Binnington and her colleagues at the Menopause and Cancer CIC (not-for-profit) initiative have transformed the landscape through their educational podcast and professional development courses, enlightening both patients and healthcare providers.
Last night, I stood among healthcare pioneers at the inaugural World Menopause and Cancer Awareness event. The room buzzed with energy as specialists such as Mr Vikram Sinai Talaulikar, Dr Alison Macbeth, and Dr Claire MacCauley, shared breakthroughs alongside survivors whose voices trembled with emotion. Witnessing this coalition of experts and advocates, I felt a surge of hope—their collaborative efforts are already revolutionizing care for cancer patients experiencing chemical menopause, offering dignity and relief where once there was only suffering in silence.
Great to see so many folk including Karen Newby, Julie Webb, Dr Shilpa McQuillan and Jane Carmichael share her poetry.”
More posts featuring Toral Shah.