New clinic opens in Brighton to support breast cancer patients with complex menopause

A new pilot clinic has opened in Brighton to support breast cancer patients experiencing complex menopause after treatment, BBC Health reported.

Complex menopause occurs abruptly and severely due to medical interventions such as cancer treatments, causing symptoms like intense hot flushes, joint pain, and low mood that are harder to manage than natural menopause, according to Dr Renske McFarlane, who leads the project at Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Rachel Bowman, who went into medically induced menopause immediately after breast cancer treatment, described her symptoms as severe, saying she could barely stand up straight and experienced 20 to 30 hot flushes a day.

Dr McFarlane emphasized the need for improved aftercare for women living with the long-term effects of cancer treatment, noting that the clinic aims to provide better support for these patients.

The clinic represents an effort to address the challenges faced by women undergoing complex menopause, which differs significantly from natural menopause due to its sudden onset and severity.