My name is Diane, I'm 46 years old and I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2009.

When my oncologist talked to me about the chemotherapy, she made it clear to me that there was a big possibility

that I would go into the menopause as a result of the treatment.

She was very clear that she didn't know whether this would be a permanent or a temporary thing.

But in my case, I was put into the menopause and my periods never returned.

I have three sons, who are now 17, 15 and 12.

At the time of my diagnosis my surgeon asked me if I was considering having any more children.

I think I've probably got enough. At 44 I was quite happy not to have any more children,

but I think it's very important that women realise that it could be an option.

When you're going through treatment for breast cancer you go through a range of emotions.

You can become angry, very sad, I would quite happily cry at the smallest thing, and in fact still can.

But it's very difficult to know whether it is the menopause or whether it was my treatment.

The worst symptoms that I've experienced are hot flushes.

It's like feeling a sudden rush of heat, and it can come on at any time.

It's actually quite difficult and your inclination is to literally throw everything off or open windows.

But it doesn't last very long and it almost goes as quickly as it started.

The menopause can cause a lot of problems for women sexually.

I think it's a difficult subject for many people to talk about and you may not wish to raise it yourself.

I was lucky that the surgeon raised it with me, and so it took the edge off it. Even though I was rather suprised that he did.

I was made aware that there was lots of help out there. I think it's very important that all women can access this help.

And it can really change your life and you shouldn't be frightened to ask.

When the menopause happened I wasn't really focussing on it

because it seemed to be a very little part of what I was going through and it didn't really bother me unduly.

I was more concentrating on getting to the end of my treatment and being told that everything was alright.

I'm now 18 months from diagnosis and I'm very happy to say that everything's fine.

Macmillan have been a big part of my life for a very long time.

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 50 and I was lucky enough to move my mother into a Macmillan unit.

When my breast care nurse suggested to me that I access Macmillan

I was rather suprised and also rather concerned because I thought my diagnosis had changed.

I was very relieved to find out that it hadn't and that Macmillan are there for all cancer patients, at whatever stage their illness.

The other thing that was suggested to me was if I wanted any counselling.

Quite often you find that when you're having your treatment you're very focused, very driven,

and your mind is completely on getting better.

It's only after the treatment is finished that you feel, all of a sudden, that you've perhaps got some space to think back

and perhaps that's when it hits you.

I found that Macmillan were very helpful for me because they were still there for me, even when treatment had finished.

I'm not entirely sure your life ever goes back to normal, the normal that you knew before.

The treatment is all-consuming. It becomes your life.

But I think you have to take some positives out of it.

The whole thing has made me stronger, given me a different perspective on life,

and I'm very pleased to be able to do this video and maybe help other women in the same situation as myself.

[New speaker] For information, help, or if you just want a chat,

call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00. Or visit macmillan.org.uk