One of the things I love about the AYA cancer community is their candor when discussing their experience with cancer. Nothing is off limits, there are no taboos. Last week on the Stupid Cancer Show, Tracy Maxwell, a cancer survivor and blogger, discussed dating and relationships post-diagnosis. One of the many questions she ponders is when is it appropriate to tell some one you are dating that you had/have the big C? Dealing with sexuality is hard enough for young people, but when you’ve had chemo, surgery, etc. it can make it even more difficult. Body image and fertility are issues that get brought up regularly in the adolescent and young adult cancer survivor community, for good reason. Undergoing treatment changes your body, which in turn alters your outlook on your own sexuality. And how or when do you tell some one new that you might not be able to have children because you had surgery or chemo? In her blog, Tracy discusses frankly and with a good dose of humor her own experience (”…some friends suggested that the lack of hair on the rest of my body was probably a turn-on for some. Did you know that chemo makes you lose your hair EVERYWHERE?”).
Seeing that there is a lack of support and going on these experiences, Tracy has decided to start a non-profit aimed at young singles dealing with cancer and other life traumas as they wrestle with dating, relationships and intimacy. She is still in the planning stages, so I will post more as this organization develops. If you have any ideas or suggestions for Tracy, she welcomes your input at to her google mail address, asinglecell.
