Dating after Cancer

Back at work today after a truly wonderful few days at Wonderwell. It is always tough to return to the normal routine, as good as that routine must be.

Today's topic is dating after cancer. As far as I know, having had cancer is never a bonus in the singles scene, and there are many concerns and questions about how to manage this reality.

I was asked to write a blog on this topic for ASCO's CancerNet, and am sharing it here:

Looking for a Partner After a Cancer Diagnosis?

Let me be honest about my credentials to address the important topic of being a single woman with cancer. Yes, I’ve been through extensive breast cancer treatment twice and have worked as an oncology social worker for more than 30 years. I was also divorced and a single mom the first time that I had breast cancer in 1993. However, I had a partner who later became my husband.

It wasn’t exactly like being married—especially in my panic about my daughters’ needs and future—but it wasn’t exactly being alone. I know that. So, although flavored by my personal experiences, my observations really come from the many single women whom I’ve known, loved, and helped as they moved through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Being single with cancer means you have to consider a number of issues: managing physically, psychologically, and logistically, as well as staying in or re-entering the dating world. Here are my thoughts on a few of those issues.

Read more: http://www.cancer.net/blog/2017-05/looking-partner-after-cancer-diagnosis