Facilitating Effective Communication and Coping among Women tested for BRCA1/2 Mutations and their Male Partners

The 'Supporting Men, Supporting Women' web-based intervention aims to increase men’s understanding of the genetic testing process and to facilitate their personal coping, as well as their ability to communicate and provide support to woman at risk for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. 'Supporting Men, Supporting Women' is organised in a menu-driven modular format, with each module addressing an identified area of concern and need for male support partners. As well as providing a thorough explanation of the genetic testing process, it offers information about women’s typical and preferred coping responses, and the implications of different testing results, including surveillance and preventive options. The intervention is unique in that it also provides information from the male perspective including: common responses of male partners to being a support person; ways for men to cope with these responses; guidance for how male partners can support the woman through testing process (including videos providing simple strategies for recognising and reducing stress); and, how couples can effectively communicate with each other and with other family members about genetic testing and its implications. In addition to usual care received throughout the genetic testing process (genetic testing of a blood sample as well as genetic counseling prior to, and following, test result disclosure), both male and female participants in the intervention group will receive full and immediate access to the Supporting Men, Supporting Women web-based intervention for the duration of the study (4 months). Please note that there is no minimum or maximum amount of time participants are required to use this website.