What changed
University Hospitals Sussex has opened a pilot clinic at the Royal Sussex County Hospital for breast-cancer patients dealing with treatment-related complex menopause. The service, led by Dr Renske McFarlane, can take referrals from surgeons, breast-care nurses, oncology teams or GPs, with plans to expand across Sussex.
Why it matters
Complex menopause can arrive overnight, rather than building gradually. Rachel Bowman, who was 46 when her breast-cancer treatment began four years ago, said an ovarian-suppressant injection was followed by 20 to 30 hot flushes a day. She described barely being able to stand upright.
The symptoms can extend beyond hot flushes: sleep problems, joint pain, fatigue, low mood and changes to sexual health are also reported. That matters because cancer treatment may end while its effects continue to shape work, relationships, confidence and family life.
The clinic’s practical difference is one-to-one aftercare. Bowman said speaking with a clinician about her own circumstances made a major difference. Its capacity, funding and clinical results have not yet been reported, so the pilot’s wider impact remains to be seen.
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