RELATIONSHIPS
How ovarian cancer can affect your relationship.
Your relationship with intimate partners
How your diagnosis affects your relationship will depend on your personalities, your life experiences and expectations. For some relationships are strengthened but for others a cancer diagnosis can test a relationship to its limits.
Your cancer is likely to impact on your day-to-day lives, including the roles you both take in your relationship and wider families. It takes time to adjust to this and can help to talk openly with each other about these changes. Cancer may also profoundly change your future plans together. How you imagined your lives and relationship to be may be very different.
For many couples this often includes fertility and any plans you had to start a family. For others it is the impact of illness on children you already have.
Challenges in a Relationship
Ovarian cancer can bring challenges to a relationship. You might face changes in your daily routine, emotions, and physical health. Here are some common challenges and how to deal with them:
- Emotional Stress: You both might feel sad, angry, or scared. Talk about your feelings and support each other. Make sure there's space for both of you to talk through your emotions.
- Physical Changes: Treatment can cause tiredness, hair loss, and other changes which could effect your self-esteem and body image. Be open and talk to your partner about how you're feeling and what could make you feel good about yourself.
- Financial Worries: Changes in employment situations may complicate finances or put pressure on you both. Plan your finances together and seek help and advice if needed.
- Time Management: Balancing treatment, work, and personal time can be hard. Making time for each other may be difficult. Try and plot out some time for the two you to have quality time.
Understanding Your Partner’s Feelings
Whilst you are at the centre of the diagnosis, your partner will also have many feelings. They might feel helpless, worried, or stressed. It’s important to understand and support each other. Here are some tips for understanding your partner’s feelings:
Listen - Let your partner talk about their feelings without interrupting.
Show Empathy - Try to understand everyone has a different reaction and give space for them to process their feelings.
Offer Reassurance - Remind your partner that you’re in this together.
Seek Support - Encourage your partner to join a support group for friends and family or talk to a therapist.
Moving Forward Together
Dealing with ovarian cancer is hard, but facing it together can make your relationship stronger. By talking, understanding, and supporting each other, you can get through this tough time. Remember, you’re not alone. Many couples face this challenge and come out stronger.
Take it one day at a time, and don’t forget to show love and support to each other. You can do this together.
Tips to support your relationship
- Stay Connected: Spend quality time together, even if it’s just watching a movie or going for a walk.
- Encourage Openness: Create space for both of you to talk about how you're feeling.
- Be Kind: Show kindness and appreciation for each other.
- Seek Help: Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, or support groups.
- Stay Positive: Focus on the good things and celebrate small victories with each other.
