All About Me
My name is Diana Cooke and I am a PhD candidate at Trinity College Dublin. I grew up in Clonmany, a very small village in Donegal, where I attended Carndonagh Community School. From a young age, I always knew I wanted to be able to help people in the future, which led me to studying Psychology at the University of Galway. During my undergraduate degree, I had the opportunity to work with the Irish Cancer Society on a project aiming to improve the quality of life of people living with hereditary cancer predispositions, which helped me to develop a passion for health psychology and its potential to improve the lives of people facing long-term health challenges. This interest ultimately led me to pursue a Master’s in Health Psychology also at the University of Galway.
My past research explored different aspects of life for people at high risk of developing cancer, such as managing uncertainty, emotional well-being, and the psychological impact of regular screenings and preventive measures. A key part of this research was also exploring how family, friends, and healthcare providers influence health decisions. This work revealed that the support and advice from loved ones and healthcare professionals play a critical role in helping individuals make informed decisions about their health, adopting healthier lifestyles, and managing the emotional burden of living with increased cancer risk. Through this work, I gained valuable insights into the resilience and coping mechanisms individuals develop when faced with such a daunting risk.
All of this led me to pursue my PhD, where I aim to develop a lifestyle intervention for individuals with Barrett’s Oesophagus to improve their quality of life and reduce cancer risk, under the supervision of Dr. Emer Guinan, Prof. Juliette Hussey, and Dr. Olinda Santin
When I’m not working, I’m likely strolling along a beautiful Donegal beach or lost in a book, with coffee in hand. When I’m indoors, I love to cook, as you might expect from my name, and I find it to be a relaxing way to unwind after a busy day, especially when making simple, comforting meals.
What are lifestyle interventions?
While medical treatments and surveillance play a key role in managing Barrett’s Oesophagus, lifestyle factors like what we eat, how much we move, and whether we actually get enough sleep (a rare achievement) can also have a significant impact. Lifestyle interventions are structured programs designed to help people make sustainable changes to their daily habits, ideally without feeling like they’ve signed up for a life of bland salads and endless treadmill sessions. These interventions often focus on key areas such as diet, physical activity, sleep, and stress management, aiming to reduce the risk of disease progression and improving quality of life. Instead of just relying solely on medical treatments, lifestyle interventions aim to empower people to take an active role in their health without making them feel like they need to become an overnight wellness guru.
It’s very easy to tell someone, “You need to exercise more” or “You should eat healthier”. In theory, this is great advice that we often hear from healthcare professionals, family members, or even friends. In practice? If making lasting lifestyle changes were that simple, we’d all be effortlessly fit and stress-free. The reality is that humans are complicated (and stubborn). We know what’s good for us, yet we often struggle to put it into action. Why? Well, life gets in the way or simply not knowing where to start.
Work, family responsibilities, stress, and the sheer exhaustion of existing can make it hard to prioritise things like exercise or meal planning. And let’s be honest sometimes, after a long day, the idea of cooking a nutritious meal is less appealing than eating the chocolate bar you know is hidden in the back of the cupboard. It’s not enough to simply provide information or make recommendations; we need to understand the underlying psychological, emotional, and social factors that influence decision-making. That’s where my research comes in it’s not just about knowing what’s good for us, it’s about finding ways to integrate these changes into our daily lives in a realistic and sustainable way.
For individuals with Barrett’s Oesophagus, these challenges can feel even more daunting. Managing acid reflux, coping with the side effects of medications, and adjusting to the reality of living with a condition that has cancerous potential make it harder to focus on things like exercise and nutrition. Studies show that keeping a healthy weight, eating well, and staying active can help with symptoms and might even reduce the risk of the condition getting worse. But knowing that and actually doing it are two very different things. Many people find it tough to keep a healthy weight, change their diet, or figure out an exercise routine that works for them. That’s why having support that’s right for you really makes a difference. My research attempts to identify these barriers to behaviour change and what kind of support would help most.
Let’s face it, lasting change doesn’t happen overnight, and no one expects you to overhaul your life in a single afternoon. The key is starting small, making gradual changes that fit into your life and that you can realistically maintain. Whether it be a brisk 10-minute walk, opting for smaller, more frequent meals to reduce acid reflux, or swapping out acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes for gentler alternatives, these small changes can have a big impact over time.
Lifestyle interventions have the potential to bridge the gap between medical care and everyday health habits, giving people more control over their well-being. Ultimately, the goal is to improve not just physical health outcomes but also overall quality of life. Health is more than just the absence of illness. It’s about quality of life, emotional well-being, and the daily choices we make. That’s why my research focuses on making these choices more achievable and sustainable, because small, consistent changes can lead to meaningful, long-term improvements in health and well-being.
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