CHAPEL HILL, N.C —The University of North Carolina has introduced an innovative Women’s Cancer Wellness Clinic designed to help women navigate life after cancer treatment. The clinic focuses on managing menopausal symptoms and sexual wellness, issues that often go overlooked in traditional oncology care. Jordan Lee, PhD | Program Manager for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Center at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
The clinic was born from a donor-driven initiative and a unique collaboration among leaders in oncology and gynecology. Jordan T. Lee, PhD, who serves as Program Manager for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Center (TNBC) at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, explained that the idea originated with Dr. Lisa Carey (Deputy Director at UNC Lineberger, TNBC Center Director) and gained momentum through UNC’s TNBC Center. “We recognized that also having a gynecologic partner was critically important to complement the Medical Oncology backbone,” Lee said. Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry’s (Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UNC) interest and well-respected expertise, combined with nurse practitioner Melissa Matson’s passion, solidified the vision. “In true Carolina fashion, this talent trifecta collaboration emerged,” Lee added.
For Melissa Matson, a nurse practitioner with UNC’s Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program and Women’s Cancer Wellness Clinic, the work is deeply personal. “Helping women live well despite having had cancer is not only a professional passion but, as a breast cancer survivor myself, a personal one,” she shared.
Melissa Matson, NP | UNC Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program | Women’s Cancer Wellness Clinic
Cancer treatment can radically alter life plans, which includes heavy impacts on relationships, fertility, and professional careers. For many young patients, these disruptions are compounded by abrupt, treatment-induced menopause. Women who have had a cancer diagnosis and have gone through cancer treatment may experience menopause before the age of natural menopause which is, on average, 52 years old.
The clinic treats symptoms of early menopause that can occur as a result of cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or estrogen‑blocking and/or estrogen‑reducing medications. These symptoms may include hot flashes, night sweats, sexual pain or dysfunction, insomnia, weight gain, brain fog, mood changes, frequent urination, and more. For many women, these symptoms can be severe and worrisome.
Patients receive personalized care through in-person or virtual appointments, starting with comprehensive questionnaires and a detailed review of cancer history. Treatment plans may include hormonal or non-hormonal medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, yoga, mindfulness, and referrals for pelvic floor therapy or sex therapy.
“Hormone changes can contribute significantly to our patients’ experience. That’s where I come in. I look at their treatment and the likelihood of it causing menopause or menopausal symptoms and then talk with them about what their most bothersome symptoms are and what some options might be to help them feel better,” said Melissa Matson, NP.
The clinic reflects a cultural shift toward openly addressing menopause and sexual health in medical care for women. According to healthcare experts, menopause has traditionally received very little attention in medical training curriculums, but the recent culture shift has empowered affected women and allowed UNC to engage in new efforts to address those gaps. “Our intention is to support an ‘old’ problem with a new opportunity for care,” Lee explained. Backed by multidisciplinary expertise and donor support, the clinic represents a significant step forward in survivorship care. Left: Dr. Genevieve Neal-Perry, Chair of the UNC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Right: Dr. Lisa Carey, Deputy Director of UNC Lineberger and Director of the TNBC Center.
“I think it’s very reasonable to see that in an oncology setting there is laser focus on managing and treating the cancer. But that does not mean everything else can’t be managed well, especially when you have the collaborations, partnerships, and talent like we do at Carolina,” said Jordan Lee, PhD
The Women’s Cancer Wellness Clinic is more than a professional milestone. It reflects UNC’s unwavering commitment to serving its patients. “Patient-facing efforts were/are a specific priority of our Donors,” said Lee. Melissa Matson echoed that sentiment: “I am incredibly grateful to be in a place and have the support to do this work. My heartfelt thanks to our donors who made this possible, and to Drs. Carey and Neal-Perry for being champions and mentors in this effort.”
For appointments or referrals, please call us at 984‑974‑0000. When you call, you will reach the UNC Cancer Hospital operator—please let them know you’d like to be scheduled in the Women’s Cancer Wellness Clinic. For more on the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, visit here.
