What is the Male Partners Program?
The Male Partners Program is a program to support male partners of women with ovarian cancer. It has resulted from emerging research undertaken by OCA and Monash University which identified unmet needs for male partners of women who have ovarian cancer. This program was initially funded by the Dry July Foundation.
We know that partners too, experience their own grief and loss, when witnessing and supporting their partners through an ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment. We understand the changes to relationships and roles that partners fullfill as well as psychological, social, financial and physical burden. We plan for you to learn how to best support your partner through this challenging time. We know that some of the psychological challenges men experience include depression, anxiety, fears about cancer recurrence, changes to sexual relationships, isolation which results in reduced quality of life.
Despite the large number of Australian male partners who care for women with ovarian cancer, they receive less support.
How are we going to support you?
We are wanting to support you through a range of different ways that will improve your well-being and also help you care for your partners.
Webinar for male partners
The emotional impact of caregiving for male partners of women with ovarian cancer can reduce overall wellbeing and quality of life. Intimacy and sexuality are also significant challenges and rank highly among unmet needs of male partners of women with ovarian cancer. This webinar explores the emotional impact of caregiving and the changes to intimacy and sexuality faced by male partners of women with ovarian cancer and includes experience from experts and a consumer.
Topic: Emotional Impact of caring for your partner who has ovarian cancer and issues of Intimacy and Sexuality.
Special Guest Speakers:
- Dr Oliver Holmes, Clinical Psychologist, from Peter McCallum Cancer Centre discusses the emotional impact of caring for your partner who has ovarian cancer.
- Kim Hobbs, Clinical Specialist Social Worker, Gynaecological Cancer from Westmead Hospital discusses intimacy and sexuality,
- Tom Braes. Tom talks about his lived experiences as a partner.
Watch Webinar
Ovarian Cancer Australia delivers regular webinars throughout the year to educate, inform and support partners and families impacted by ovarian cancer. All recordings of our previous webinars can be viewed here.
We are extremely grateful for the funding received for this webinar from Collier Charitable Trust, which is part of our new pilot program to support male partners of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Monthly support sessions
Online monthly support sessions for men throughout the year on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
Topics for the online support sessions will include:
- The impact of a cancer diagnosis
- Communication issues
- Mental health
- Intimacy and sexuality
- Fear of recurrence
- Grief and loss including anticipatory grief and losses for younger partners
- Practical issues
- Well-being
Support booklet for Male Partners
Supporting Your Partner through Ovarian Cancer booklet
A booklet for men who have a partner with ovarian cancer, and their families, partners and friends
DownloadGet a physical copy
Further information and resources include:
- Videos of men and women with ovarian cancer talking about their experiences of ovarian cancer with a special interest in exploring the needs of male carers of women with ovarian cancer
- Telephone and/or telehealth video calls for counselling support and guidance from our counselling support team. Referrals can be made to psychosocial@ovariancancer.net.au or our Helpline for this service on 1300 660 334 (Weekdays, 9am – 5pm).
To find out more, please fill out the form at the end of this page or call us on 1300 660 334 (Weekdays. 9am - 5pm).
Intimacy and Sexuality
Self-Management
Our Table: Recipe book
We are thrilled to share a cookbook containing a collection of recipes from members of the Male Partners Program Support Group.
Download Recipe Book
We look forward to adding to this every year!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are these group sessions for?
This support sessions are for male partners of women living with ovarian cancer.
Why is this program targeted at only male partners?
Our other support groups are open to all partners of women with ovarian cancer including female/non-binary. This particular support group is aimed at male partners/carers based on research showing that males have unique issues and feel more comfortable discussing them together as they share and learn from each other. Contact us to find the right support group for you.
Is there a cost?
No
Can my partner (the person I care for) attend the support group meetings with me?
Yes
Will the sessions be face-to-face or online?
These sessions will be run online so that all male partners across Australia can participate. We will alternate between a guest speaker talking about themes and the other sessions will be a general session for sharing. The sessions will run in the evenings 7 pm AET for 1 hour.
How do I register?
Contact our Helpline on 1300 660 334 (Weekdays, 9am - 5pm AET) or email support@ovariancancer.net.au
How can I keep in touch outside of sessions?
Please contact our Social Worker Andreea Ardeleanu at psychosocial@ovariancancer.net.au or our ovarian cancer nurses on 1300 660 334 (Weekdays, 9am – 5pm AET) who can refer to our psychosocial services.
Resources for health professionals
If you are a health professional working in ovarian cancer and would like information about our Male Partners Program, please contact an ovarian cancer nurse on our Helpline by calling 1300 660 334 (Weekdays, 9am – 5pm AET) who can refer you to our psychosocial services. You can also visit our Health Professionals page to join our Health Professional newsletter or view our resources for health professionals.
Additional Resources and factsheets that you may find helpful: