Psychological and physiological mechanisms of risk in prostate cancer

We are collaborating with Leicester General Hospital to study the interaction between psychological and physiological mechanisms implicated in risk and resilience in prostate cancer. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the UK.

The high co-occurrence of depression in PCa adversely affects quality-of-life, disease course and survival. This is not explained solely by having to face a serious illness, but likely reflects shared physiological risk mechanisms such as chronic inflammation, which is regulated by fatty acids (FAs) and gut function.

We will investigate personality traits implicated in depression and stress vulnerability in men recently diagnosed with PCa, relative to those with benign prostate disease. Moreover, we will investigate underpinning physiological mechanisms of risk for pCa and depression (e.g., inflammation, gut-permeability and fatty acid, profile).

Clarifying the relationship between depression, inflammation, gut-permeability and fatty acid status, would allow more effective evaluation of physiological (e.g., nutritional) and psychological (depression management) interventions to prevent/attenuate adverse effects of chronic inflammation and depression on PCa, improving overall well-being. This work has external funding (~£20k) from industry and charity.