For many single women, re-entering the dating scene after the diagnosis and treatment of cancer can be a very daunting task. The possibility of rejection, concerns over body image and fertility, lowered self-esteem, sexual function difficulties after treatment, and fear of recurrence can, understandably, leave women feeling vulnerable.
Finding love after cancer can truly be both an intimidating and thrilling experience. However, it is a decision that, for many, should not be embarked upon without some planning beforehand to ensure greater success. Here are some helpful tips to improve confidence and make the process of dating again seem less frightening:
- Ease into the dating scene: become comfortable in other social situations first, such as the gym
- Practice telling friends or strangers about your diagnosis
- Decide when it is the right time to disclose your diagnosis to a date
- Be honest about upcoming treatments and surgeries
- If there are sexual function concerns, see a clinician who specializes or has an interest in sexual medicine before entering the dating scene
- Don’t wait until after the relationship has become sexually intimate. This can cause distrust or tension in the relationship
- Whether or not a person has had cancer, rejection is always a possibility when dating– Be prepared for it
