C is for Cupid lets members complete at profile for others to view and it is up to them to decide how much personal medical information to reveal.

And the private messaging system and mailboxes allow members to pursue relationships--friendship, companionship, or romantic--without sharing detailed information about themselves, such as a personal e-mail address, until they are ready.

Founded by a cancer survivor in 2007, "C is for Cupid" is one of the first, and few, online dating services designed specifically for people whose lives have been affected by cancer.

The service is free, run by a handful of cancer survivors, and aimed at providing a comfortable and fun environment for members to connect with others who can "relate." As of March 2009, there are more than 1,000 members.

Although dating another cancer survivor may not be for everyone, I think it is a great opportunity and resource for survivors and other people affected by cancer to be able to connect with someone who has "been there" and who may have other similar interests as well.

Some may find it important to share their experience; others would just as soon never bring up cancer again. Golby offers the following advice to help cancer patients and survivors answer some of the questions they may have about dating.

A cancer diagnosis can shake people’s self-confidence, making them feel betrayed by their body or as if they don’t have as much control over their future as they once did, Ms. This loss of confidence can make it harder to pursue a relationship.

The idea for the website comes from Brashier's own personal frustrations.

The 50-year-old hairstylist, who lives in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments after being diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer when she was 37.