Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden supports Maggie’s to keep the conversation going about ‘crash menopause’

Only 40% of the public correctly identified early menopause as a side effect of cancer treatment, whereas 80% of people could identify hair loss as a possible side effect.

The research, carried out by Survation*, also found that:

• 71% of the women polled who had received a cancer diagnosis were not aware they may experience an early onset menopause
• over half (51%) of those asked thought menopause symptoms could be as challenging as cancer treatment

Celebrities help Maggie's raise awareness of ‘crash menopause’

Ahead of World Menopause Day (18 October), Maggie’s has launched a film to urge everyone to keep the conversation going about ‘crash menopause’ – the sudden onset of menopause symptoms due to cancer treatment.

The film includes contributions from:

• Amy Dowden MBE
• Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts
• Amanda Pritchard CEO of NHS England
• Health Minister Baroness Merron
• Journalist and Counselling Psychologist Dr Sian Williams
• Tulip Siddiq MP
• Tonia Antoniazzi MP
• Carolyn Harris MP
• Caroline Nokes MP
• Jackie Baillie MSP

Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Amy Dowden was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023. She said: 

It was a shock when I found out, not only did I have to go through cancer treatment, but a treatment induced early menopause as well.

“I am supporting Maggie’s to keep the conversation going on ‘crash menopause’.

“Maggie’s is there to support people through this, and if you need help, please do visit one of their centres”

Helping women through the impacts of a treatment induced menopause

Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive of Maggie’s said: “Raising awareness about this matters.

If we keep the conversation going, more women, and their friends and families, can identify the signs and symptoms and get the help they need – whether that is psychological support, or help to understand what it might mean for their fertility or to protect their longer-term health.”

Lisa Punt, Centre Head at Maggie’s Cambridge, and lead clinician on Maggie’s menopause workshops across the UK said: “The incredible clinical advances in cancer treatment mean more people live beyond and alongside a cancer diagnosis.

“The impact on quality of life and emotional well-being following a treatment induced menopause can be long lasting, and for some, traumatic.

“At Maggie’s, our focus is to help people feel less alone and give them the advice and information needed to support them through the changes they might face.”

Find out more about menopause and cancer and the menopause support available at Maggie's.

*Survation interviewed 2007 adults aged 18+ in the UK for Maggie's.

93 of those polled were women who had cancer at some point.

Fieldwork was conducted between 27 September and 2 October 2024. Data were weighted to the profile of all adults in the UK aged 18+.

Data were weighted by age, sex, region, highest level of qualification, annual equivalised household income, 2024 general election vote, and 2016 EU referendum vote.

Last review: Oct 2024 | Next review: Oct 2027