Lifestyle Biology and Cancer

Theme Leads: Professor Alan Donnelly

The pillar will have focus on ascertaining the biological mechanisms by which diet and exercise contribute to cancer risk and improve cancer survival.  Physical activity and diet are established critical lifestyle factor which influences the lifetime risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast, colon and stomach cancer.  Obesity, itself influenced by diet and exercise is an additional risk factor for cancers including bowel, pancreatic and liver cancer.  The pillar research will create a database of lifestyle behaviour measurements in cancer patients and cancer survivors to guide the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving quality of life and long-term cancer survivorship.  The team will additionally utilise its expertise in muscle biology and lipid metabolism to study the underlying mechanisms which link exercise and diet to cancer growth and cancer survivorship.