title: Women's experiences of dating after breast cancer.
abstract: This study examined women's experiences of romantically dating after breast cancer. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 female breast cancer survivors who attempted to form new relationships post-breast cancer. Interview transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. We identified an overarching theme of "navigating the breast cancer dating journey," comprising seven themes including women's decision to consider dating; ability/desire to commence a new relationship; cancer-related disclosure; changes to intimacy and sexuality; body image difficulties; changing values; and trusting a new partner. Future research should empirically determine factors predicting a woman's ability to form a romantic relationship after breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Emotional Health , Department of Psychology, Macquarie University , Sydney , Australia.
authors.forename: Laura-Kate
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Emotional Health , Department of Psychology, Macquarie University , Sydney , Australia.|b Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia.
authors.forename: Kerry A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Emotional Health , Department of Psychology, Macquarie University , Sydney , Australia.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fitness
authors.affiliation: c Breast Cancer Network Australia , Camberwell , Victoria , Australia.
authors.lastname: Breast Cancer Network Australia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003380:Courtship / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: breast cancer; dating; grounded theory; oncology; qualitative; relationships