Dating After Cancer

Cancer survivors can face some pretty unique challenges when re-entering the dating scene. According to a report at Livestrong.org;

“Cancer survivors sometimes have to deal with many issues in their life after cancer that can make dating more complicated. Survivors may struggle with their body image, live with uncertainty about the future and have a hard time accepting the changes cancer has caused in their lives. Dealing with all of these concerns on your own can be difficult. Trying to date someone and share your intimate thoughts and feelings with him or her can seem even more difficult.”

Cancer can change a person in many ways. The way a survivor lives his or her life, the way they view mortality, their sense of peace and inner strength – it’s all impacted by the experience of fighting the disease. In addition there can be other issues related to health and the way their body may have changed with treatment. Dealing with issues like amputation, mastectomy, or the inability to have children – these issues can be huge and possibly feel insurmountable.

It’s important that a survivor waits until they are really ready to tackle the dating world again. Some of the factors to think about when making the decision to date again are what kind of a relationship are you looking for – casual? committed? marriage? When do you tell your date about the cancer?

For input you can read the Livestrong article or seek the advice of your friends and family. Explore your feelings and your options. Look into something like CancerMatch: Cancer Survivor Dating and Social Network for possible friends and additional support.