Understanding and managing changes in survivor identity and relationships

Cancer and its treatment are associated with profound changes to a person’s identity and relationships. Some of these changes result in distress, while others contribute to flourishing. Understanding what these changes are and how they can be managed constitute important elements in contemporary posttreatment care. This chapter examines the evidence of the psychosocial impact of cancer and its treatment not only on survivors, but also on their significant others. Changes to survivor identity and intimate relationships, especially those within the first five years post-treatment, are discussed by drawing on and comparing a wide range of research findings. A number of practice implications are noted for counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and others caring for cancer survivors in professional roles.