From Cancer to Confidence: How Tara Ferguson is Reshaping Workplace Wellbeing with Lived Experience and Leadership

In this profound episode of Women of a Certain Stage, host Lauren speaks with Tara Ferguson about her journey from a breast cancer diagnosis at 41 to founding her own consultancy focused on supporting businesses managing cancer in the workplace. Tara shares the raw reality of her diagnosis, treatment, and the medical menopause that followed, while highlighting the critical gaps in workplace support and the intersection between cancer treatment and menopause.With 20 years of HR and employee wellbeing experience, Tara brings a unique perspective—combining corporate strategic expertise with deeply personal lived experience to help organizations better support employees impacted by cancer, whether as patients or carers.Key Timestamps[00:01:00] Meeting Lauren at a conference and the impact of menopause awareness[00:02:00] Breast cancer diagnosis at 41 despite clear mammogram[00:03:00] Recognizing unusual symptoms: pain and texture changes[00:05:00] The one-stop breast clinic experience and three-hour diagnostic process[00:08:00] Trusting your body and gut instinct during uncertainty[00:11:00] Understanding hormone receptor positive breast cancer[00:14:00] Telling her 12-year-old daughter about the diagnosis[00:16:00] "Cadmin"—cancer admin and seeking counseling support[00:17:00] Exceptional line management: halving workload overnight[00:20:00] When menopause wasn't mentioned during cancer treatment planning[00:23:00] Oncotype scores and determining chemotherapy treatment plans[00:26:00] The impact on partners, carers, and children[00:28:00] The power of being open about diagnosis and feeling loved[00:31:00] Working during chemo: letting employees lead the way[00:33:00] Transitioning from corporate role to founding Onward With You[00:38:00] The business case: cancer impacts more people than maternity leave[00:42:00] Thinking of cancer as chronic illness, not acute event[00:45:00] First steps: ask questions before deciding what to do[00:49:00] Medical menopause: ovarian suppression and estrogen elimination[00:51:00] The reality over a year beyond active treatment[00:53:00] Gaps in specialized care for cancer-induced menopause[00:57:00] "Make the most of it"—finding joy and appreciationKey TakeawaysPain is not always a typical sign of breast cancer—trust your body and seek second opinionsCancer diagnosis makes you disabled under UK Equality Act for life, requiring reasonable adjustmentsMedical menopause from cancer treatment is often overlooked in treatment planningThe population affected by cancer (patients + carers) is larger than new parents in most organizationsBest practice line management: let the employee lead, offer options, focus on flexibilityCancer should be viewed as a chronic illness with ongoing impact, not just an acute eventBeing open about diagnosis can create unexpected support and communityEmployees undergoing treatment can still add value through "important but not urgent" workSpecialized menopause care for cancer patients requires bridging oncology and menopause expertiseSmall acts of recognition for carers and children make enormous differenceTake Action!Connect with Tara Ferguson: Learn more about supporting cancer in the workplace at Onward With You LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-ferguson-onward/Website: http://onwardwithyou.com/Explore the Working with Cancer Pledge for your organizationResources mentioned:Maggie's Cancer Care CentersThe Osborne Trust (supporting children of parents with cancer)Menopause and Cancer charity (Danny Bennington)Transform your career in women's health:Visit https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/ to enroll in the CPD Certified Menopause Coach DiplomaBook workplace strategy workshops & keynote talksDownload menopause toolkitsSchedule your free strategy call at https://bookme.name/womenofacertainstage/pod