Author: Bettina Falkenberg

It’s Menopause Month again…

It’s Menopause Month again… A few days ago, I watched an Insta post by Dr Liz O’Riordan, the breast surgeon turned breast cancer patient who is widely present in the British media. You’ve probably seen her on Lorraine or in the Daily Mail. Dr Liz mentioned some really awful side effects of her cancer treatments, such as blurry vision and a very sore tongue that makes everything taste horrible. What was worst, she said, were the hot flushes and night sweats from the hormone suppressants she needs to take. “It’s just so hard to deal with… I just feel miserable.” Working for the Breast Cancer Haven in London I had many clients like Dr Liz, who were struggling with the effects of sudden onset menopause. What surprised me was the impact hot flushes had on women who were dealing with breast cancer in some form or other. They reported feeling overwhelmed and helpless. As someone who never had struggled with hot flushes I thought surely there must be bigger problems when dealing with cancer. Listening …

So….Elle MacPherson declined Chemotherapy

So….Elle MacPherson declined Chemotherapy Unless you have been living under a rock you will have come across the media storm raised by the news that former Supermodel Elle MacPherson had declined chemotherapy against her doctor’s advice after she was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago. My newsfeed has run hot with outcries of “irresponsible”, “dangerous influencers”, “money-grabbing wellness entrepreneur”, “entitled multi-millionaire”. To be honest, I am shocked and disturbed by the vitriol spewed at Elle not only by media click baits but by serious health commentators. I don’t follow Elle MacPherson and I have no intention of reading her new book setting out her cancer story. I cannot make any informed comment about her choice of treatment. But I know one thing, cancer as well as its contributing factors and treatment options are incredibly complex and vary for every individual. I follow Dr Liz O’Riordan, the breast cancer surgeon turned breast cancer patient who, together with GP Professor Trisha Greenhalgh, has published The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer. It’s a fantastic book of level-headed …

One thing every woman should do

One thing every woman should do This blog has been sitting in the back of my mind for quite a while until I recently had a client who inspired me to finally sit down and write it. This lady has been dealing with cancer for over 10 years. She has had 2 recurrences since the original diagnosis and is now at Stage 4. She is also doing remarkably well and working successfully in a new career. 

Three Simple Ways to Boost Your Resilience

Three Simple Ways to Boost Your Resilience   When it comes to wellbeing, resilience is one of this year’s biggest buzz words. From politicians to parents, school kids to captains of industry, everyone needs a healthy dose of resilience. What is resilience; what does it do for us, and, most importantly, how can we increase the amount we have? Google defines resilience as: