Around 40% of young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer are single. Partnered people on active cancer treatment adapt better both physically and psychologically as compared to those without a partner. Qualitative studies indicated that cancer survivors may be worried about finding a partner in the future, however, whether this concern is warranted was unknown.
To find that answer, Tuinman et al (2018) conducted a research in Netherlands. They created experimental vignette studies, giving people from a dating website, a group of colleagues and students fictive profiles of a potential dating partners who had survived cancer or controls who never had cancer. They asked the participants whether they would likely date the respective persons.
The results shown no difference in the desire to date a survivor of cancer versus a person with no cancer history. The researchers hypothesize that participants (college students, 19 years old on average) may have a more positive view of survivorship because of social media and campaigns.
The research also showed that most people want to learn about the cancer diagnosis after a few dates, rather than on the first date or before meeting in person (among those who chat online via dating apps).
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