How Gut and Urine Bacteria Change During Prostate Cancer Treatment

Researchers want to understand how the bacteria living in your gut and urinary system change when you receive radiation therapy and hormone therapy for prostate cancer. By studying these bacterial communities before, during, and after your cancer treatment, doctors hope to learn whether certain bacteria patterns can predict who is more likely to experience side effects like urinary or bowel problems.

Radiation therapy and hormone therapy for prostate cancer can cause uncomfortable side effects in the urinary and digestive systems. Scientists believe that the trillions of bacteria naturally living in your body may play a role in determining how severe these side effects become. Understanding these bacterial changes could one day help doctors predict and prevent side effects before they happen.