Webinars

June 19, 2019

Up to 20% of epithelial ovarian cancers are thought to be the result of inheriting a faulty gene from either side of the family. Therefore, many women who have ovarian cancer or who have a relative with ovarian cancer want to have genetic testing to find out if the cancer may be hereditary. This webinar provides information about Genetics and ovarian cancer, including the importance of genetic testing and who should be tested, the process and costs involved in genetic testing and who to contact if you are interested in having genetic testing.

In this webinar, we hear from Associate Professor Marion Harris, a medical oncologist and cancer geneticist who is the Director of the Familial Cancer Centre at Monash Health. Associate Professor Harris discusses the medical aspects of genetics and ovarian cancer and the potential outcomes and implications of genetic testing.

Ms Megan Cotter, a Certified Genetic Counsellor with over 7 years’ clinical experience who has a special interest in familial cancer and neurogenetics, provides an overview of genetics and ovarian cancer and talks about the process of genetic testing and how eligibility for genetic testing is assessed.

We also hear from Ms Christine Christie, who sought genetic testing after discovering her father carried the BRCA 1 gene and discovered she has the BRCA 1 gene. Ms Christie discovered she had ovarian cancer after having preventative surgery. She shares her experience and why genetic testing has been so important to her.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Associate Professor Marion Harris's presentation
• Watch Megan Cotter's presentation
• Watch Christine Christie's presentation

Speakers

• Associate Professor Marion Harris
• Megan Cotter
• Christine Christie

September 29, 2021

Women may experience grief and uncertainty following an ovarian cancer diagnosis, including during and after treatment. For some women these experiences are more pronounced than for others and can have a significant impact on their day to day life. This webinar talks about grief and uncertainty experienced by women following an ovarian cancer diagnosis and provides some suggestions for managing these feelings.

Our first speaker is Dr Charlotte Tottman, a Clinical Psychologist specialising in the treatment of cancer-related distress. Charlotte works with cancer patients and their family members and carers at all stages of their cancer experience. Several years after establishing her private practice in psycho oncology, Charlotte was diagnosed with breast cancer. Charlotte speaks about the uncertainty experienced by women following an ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Our second speaker is Angela Jones, a qualified Social Worker who is part of the support team at Ovarian Cancer Australia and has worked for over 15 years in various settings including palliative care, hospitals and community settings. Angela speaks about the grief and the loss women face following an ovarian cancer diagnosis including the impact on their career and relationships and their loss of independence and future aspirations.

We also hear from Andrea Leslie, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2017, six years after her husband passed away from brain cancer. Andrea shares some of her experiences of grief and uncertainty since her diagnosis and some of the coping strategies she finds useful.

Watch the full webinar

Speakers:

• Dr Charlotte Tottman
• Angela Jones
• Andrea Leslie

March 25, 2021

The role of the male partner of someone with ovarian cancer is often a challenging one as they experience their own grief and loss as they support their loved one through an ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment. This webinar focuses on the emotional impact of caring for a woman with ovarian cancer, including issues around sexuality and intimacy.

Our first speaker is Dr Oliver Holmes, a Clinical Psychologist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre who helps patients and their families manage the psychological impacts of cancer. Dr Holmes discusses the emotional impact of caring for a woman with ovarian cancer.

Our second speaker is Kim Hobbs, an oncology social worker at the Westmead Centre for Gynaecological Cancer in Sydney who has supported many women and couples as they negotiate the challenges imposed by an ovarian cancer diagnosis, including in the areas of intimacy and sexuality. Kim discusses issues around intimacy and sexuality, including strategies for maintaining relationship well-being.

We also hear from Tom Braes, a 66 year old QLD magistrate, father of 4 and grandfather of 5, whose wife was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2016. Tom shares an honest and raw insight into his experience of being a carer to his wife, including the challenges he faces.

We are extremely grateful for the funding received for this webinar from Collier Charitable Fund, which is part of OCA’s program to support male partners of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Dr. Oliver Holmes presentation
• Watch Kim Hobbs presentation
• Watch Tom Braes presentation

Speakers:

• Dr Oliver Holmes
• Kim Hobbs
• Tom Braes

August 22nd, 2022

Sexual issues and challenges are common and rank highly among the unmet needs of women with ovarian cancer. This webinar focuses on the sexual challenges and issues faced by women with ovarian cancer, the impact this may have on quality of life and outlines some strategies and resources to help manage these challenges.

In this webinar, we hear from Dr Amanda Hordern, a leading expert who strives to lift the lid off the great taboo of sex and cancer. Amanda discusses strategies to help you reclaim your sexual confidence and desire and boost your self-esteem and energy.

We also hear from Tori Wood-Bellentina, a post graduate Sexology student at Curtin University with expertise in lubricants. Through her years of work at Passionfruit, The Sensuality Shop, Tori has helped many people through various health and vaginal dryness issues. Tori discusses the different types of lubricants and their uses.

Amy Phillips, a 46-year-old mother of three boys who was diagnosed with Stage 3C Ovarian cancer in 2020, also presents on the webinar. Amy had a recurrence late last year and is currently undergoing treatment. Amy shares her experience and the effects that ovarian cancer and the treatment has had on her identity and self-esteem and the impact it has had on her intimate relationship with her husband of nearly 20 years.

We are extremely grateful for the funding received from AstraZeneca for this webinar.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Dr Amanda Hordern's presentation
• Watch Tori Wood-Bellentina's presentation
• Watch Amy Phillips' presentation

Speakers:

• Dr Amanda Hordern
• Tori Wood-Bellentina
• Amy Phillips

November 28, 2018

In this live webinar, Associate Professor Prue Cormie, an Accredited Exercise Physiologist whose research and clinical work focuses on the role of exercise in the management of cancer, will discuss the importance of exercising for people living with cancer and the practicalities of how to exercise. Professor Cormie aims to enhance the lives of people with cancer through innovative research and effectively translating research into practice.

Julie Vickers, a 62 year old woman who was diagnosed with stage 3c Primary Peritoneal cancer in April 2015 will share her experience of exercise since her cancer diagnosis. Julie has recently undergone radiation therapy to treat a recurrence and believes that exercise has been extremely important to her since being diagnosed with cancer. Since participating in regular physical activity Julie has never felt stronger and is very grateful to feel so well three and half years after her diagnosis.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Associate Professor Prue Cormie's presentation 
• Watch Julie Vicker's presentation 

Speakers:

• Associate Professor Prue Cormie
• Julie Vickers

November 21, 2017

In this webinar, Professor Martha Hickey, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne and Head of Menopause Unit, The Women’s Hospital, Melbourne talks about the effects of surgical menopause including infertility and the psycho-social impact this has on young women. Doctor Brendha Pillay, a clinical psychologist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre focuses on body image, feeling isolated and the impact that being diagnosed with Ovarian cancer at a relatively young age has on relationships with family and friends. We also hear from Doctor Francine Marques, a young women who was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer in her early thirties. She shares her experience of being diagnosed and living with ovarian cancer at such a young age.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Martha Hickey's presentation 
• Watch Francine Marque's presentation 
• Watch Brindha Pullay's presentation 

Speakers:

• Professor Martha Hickey
• Doctor Brendha Pillay
• Doctor Francine Marques

Read about the speakers

Trigger warning: We are aware that some of the content in this webinar can trigger difficult thoughts and feeling and may cause distress for some people. If you would like additional support, please call our ovarian cancer nurses on 1300 660 334 (Weekdays, business hours). 

For immediate crisis support, the Beyond Blue Support Service provides 24/7 advice and support by calling 1300 22 4636. 

Lifeline is also available for 24/7 confidential crisis support by calling 13 11 14.

13YARN is a free and confidential service run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is available 24/7 by calling 13 92 76.

December 8, 2022

One of the most common worries women have after finishing cancer treatment is fearing their cancer will come back. For some women this fear is worse than for others and although most women say the fear lessens over time, it can have a huge impact on their day to day life, as well as those around them. This webinar covers fear of recurrence for women with ovarian cancer and will provides an overview of the IConquerFear program, an online program to help women affected by ovarian cancer manage their concerns about fear of cancer recurrence and or progression.

In this webinar, we hear from Associate Professor Lisa Beatty who provides an overview of fear of recurrence and discusses some strategies to help manage it.

We also hear from Dr Ben Smith, who is leading a team collaborating with Ovarian Cancer Australia to trial iConquerFear. Ben outlines how iConquerFear may help people get less caught up with worries about cancer coming back or progressing and some of the benefits of iConquerFear that have been shown to date.

Victoria Turner, who was diagnosed with Stage 3C high grade serous ovarian cancer in 2020 shares her personal experience when it comes to fear of recurrence and talks about how she copes and manages this fear.

We are extremely grateful for the funding received from AstraZeneca for this webinar.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Associate Professor Lisa Beatty's presentation
• Watch Dr Ben Smith's presentation 
• Watch Victoria Turner's presentation 

Speakers:

• Associate Professor Lisa Beatty
• Dr Ben Smith
• Victoria Turner

August 16, 2018

One of the most common worries women have after finishing cancer treatment is fearing their cancer will come back. For some women, this fear is worse than for others and although most women say the fear lessens over time, it can have a huge impact on their day to day life at the time, as well as those around them. This webinar will provide information on fear of recurrence for women with ovarian cancer including why women are fearful, types of fears and feeling uncertain about the future. It will also provide some advice for managing fears.

Dr Maria Ftanou, clinical psychologist, Clinical Psychology Department at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne and Research Fellow, School of Population and Global Health at The University of Melbourne will talk about what this anxiety around fear of recurrence is, when it may arise and some techniques to help manage the fear.

Dr Ben Smith, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT), Ingham Institute and UNSW Australia will talk about the latest research regarding the impact and management of fear of cancer recurrence in people affected by ovarian cancer and cancer more generally.

Ms Jan Antony, who was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer in 2008 will share her experiences and thoughts on how she manages her fears of recurrence.

Thank you for to AbbVie who have provided the funding required for the delivery of this webinar.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Dr Maria Ftanou's presentation
• Watch Jan Antony's presentation 
• Watch Dr Ben Smith's presentation 

Speakers:

• Dr Maria Ftanou
• Dr Ben Smith
• Ms Jan Antony

Read about the speakers

In this webinar Clinical Psychologist Dr Katharine Hodgkinson shares techniques for open communication and discusses how best to discuss concerns and questions with your medical team. Dr Hodgkinson offers strategies for keeping an effective record of your treatment and appointments, and discusses how to talk about cancer with your family, including age-appropriate ways of talking about cancer with children.

Dr Hodgkinson also touches on how much to share of your cancer experience with your larger network and how best to respond to comments or advice which may be hurtful or discomforting.

This webinar also features Denise Firth who shares her personal experience of communicating with her ovarian cancer treatment team, and her family and friends.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Denise Firth's presentation
• Watch Katharine Hodgkinson's presentation
• Information on Communication and Cancer (PDF)

Speakers

• Dr Katharine Hodgkinson
• Ms Denise Firth

Read about the speakers

June 17, 2020

This webinar will address the psycho-social aspects of living with an ovarian cancer diagnosis.

In this webinar, we will hear from Dr Jemma Gilchrist, a senior clinical psychologist with a special interest in the emotional care of individuals and families coping with cancer. Dr Gilchrist will be speaking about the emotional rollercoaster of coping with the fear of the cancer recurring or progressing and some strategies to help manage these emotions.

Hayley Russell, a support co-ordinator at Ovarian Cancer and a trained counsellor with a background in cancer care and grief, trauma and loss counselling within a community palliative care context. Hayley will speak about maintaining self-care and self-compassion through an ovarian cancer experience.

We will also hear from Clare O’Donnell, who was diagnosed with stage 4 high grade serous ovarian cancer four and half years ago at the age of 47. She has been on treatment since that time and is currently on a clinical trial. Clare will share her experiences and thoughts on how she has coped with living with ovarian cancer and how she manages her fears of recurrence.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Dr Jemma Gilchrist's presentation
• Watch Hayley Russell's presentation
• Watch Clare O'Donnell's presentation
  

Speakers

• Dr Jemma Gilchrist
• Hayley Russell
• Clare O'Donnell

Read about the speakers

April 16, 2020

This webinar will provide information about the latest developments in Ovarian cancer research, including some of the clinical trials that are currently underway and new therapies emerging for ovarian cancer.

In this webinar, we will hear from Professor Michael Friedlander, a conjoint Professor of Medicine at the University of NSW and a medical oncologist at the Prince of Wales Hospital and Royal Hospital for Women, who will talk about the use of PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer. 

Dr Yoland Antill, a medical oncologist and cancer genetics specialist based in Melbourne will focus on germline and somatic genetic testing in ovarian cancer.

We will also hear from Kristin Young, who was diagnosed with Stage IIIC Ovarian Cancer in September 2009 and has been on clinical trials for much of that time. Kristin will share her experience of being involved in clinical trials.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Professor Michael Friedlander's presentation
• Watch Dr Yoland Antill's presentation
• Watch Kristin Young's presentation

Speakers:

• Professor Michael Friedlander
• Dr Yoland Antill
• Kristin Young

Read about the speakers

March 26, 2019

In this webinar, Dr Yoland Antill, a medical oncologist talks about some of the current research in ovarian cancer including the SOLO2 trial looking at the use of Olaparib in early ovarian cancer.

Another medical oncologist, Dr Tarek Meniawy, talks about clinical trials and new therapies in ovarian cancer including PARP inhibitors, immunotherapy and the timing of different treatments.

Ms Vicki Sidoti, who was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer five years ago shares her experience of being on a clinical trial and why the trial has been so important to her.

Watch the full webinar

• Watch Dr Yolanda Antill's presentation
• Watch Dr Tarek Meniawy's presentation
• Watch Vicki Sodoti's presentation

Speakers:

• Dr Yolanda Antill
• Dr Tarek Meniawy
• Ms Vicki Sodoti

Read about the speakers