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Cancer cells under a microscope
Women of impact
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Dr Melanie Flint - cancer and stress

Inspired by a close family friend who battled metastatic breast cancer, Dr Melanie Flint, a Rising Stars awardee at the University of Brighton, is focused on investigating the effects of stress on cancer progression, cancer immunology and on the efficacy of cancer drugs. Dr Flint is interested in the underlying molecular mechanisms of how stress hormones act on the cells in the body.

Collaborating with colleagues at Brighton, SHORE-C, and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, this globally respected group of academics are investigating the role of stress in determining the outcome of breast cancer treatment. This vital information will enable cancer clinicians to create bespoke treatments for all cancer patients moving forward; impacting on the efficacy of cancer treatments.

Dr Melanie Flint

Dr Melanie Flint

Our goal is to highlight the importance of reducing stress during cancer treatments to improve patient outcomes.

Dr Melanie Flint

Dr Flint is also interested in how stress hormones can induce DNA damage to negatively impact drug treatments. One probable mechanism of DNA damage is the production of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species. This hypothesis led to recent grant successes with the Breast Cancer Research Trust and Cancer Research UK.

Nurse looking stressed
Many patients with cancer experience significant amounts of stress – Dr Flint’s investigations into the impact of stress hormones on the disease trajectory and drug resistance at the cellular level will guide us to when and what stress interventions may best benefit the patient.

Nancy Davidson, President and Executive Director, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Senior Vice President, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Inspiring others

Dr Flint is passionate about mentoring future breast cancer researchers leading a multidisciplinary team of post-doctoral scientists, PhD students and MSc students – all with the same goal – to establish a proven mechanistic link between psychological stress and cancer to improve patient outcome.

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