Improving surgical outcomes for colorectal cancer patients by pre-operative intervention.

Project description

Colorectal cancer is largely a disease of elderly people. Approximately 75 % of people with the disease will have surgery. However, surgery, although curative for the majority of these people, has risks. These risks are increased in elderly people. Retrospective audit over a 3yr period in Leeds, has shown that 75% of people who die after colorectal surgery die from a medical, not surgical problem. In 50% of these people the medical problem existed before their surgery; frequently this problem will be frailty. The aim of this proposal is to target patients pre-operatively, by means of focussed nutrition and exercise, to improve their health pre-operatively, so improving surgical outcomes. At the same time we will assess the effects of a targeted nutritional supplement on protein metabolism, appetite endocrinology and functional performance.

The project involves recruiting patients, co-ordination of intervention sessions, the collection of samples and lab analysis.

Entry requirements

This project is available immediately to both Home/EU rate applicants and International applicants who are able to self-fund their studies. Students must be able to provide the appropriate level of fees based on their fee status plus laboratory consumables costs per year. This is in addition to the provision of personal living expenses.

You should hold a first degree equivalent to at least a UK upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject.

Candidates whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study, the Faculty minimum requirements are:

• British Council IELTS - score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0
• TOEFL iBT - overall score of 92 with the listening and reading element no less than 21, writing element no less than 22 and the speaking element no less than 23.

Applicants with sufficient funding must still undergo formal interview prior to acceptance in order to demonstrate scientific aptitude and English language capability.

How to apply

Applications can be made at any time. Potential applicants are welcome to contact Mr Dermot Burke with informal enquiries about this research project. To formally apply for this project applicants should complete a Faculty Scholarship Application form and send this alongside a full academic CV, degree transcripts (or marks so far if still studying) and degree certificates to the Faculty Graduate School. 

We also require 2 academic references to support your application. Please ask your referees to send these references on your behalf, directly by email. 

If you have already applied for other scholarships using the Faculty Scholarship Application form you do not need to complete this form again. Instead you should email to inform us you would like to be considered for this scholarship project.