Reducing the risk of breast cancer by fish oil

The statistics of the cases of breast cancer has become a serious matter of concern for many women. As per the predictions of National Cancer Institute (NCI), about 210,000 Americans, almost all females, are at the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Among them, 40,000 deaths might be reported. However, some favorable discoveries have also been made in the medical arena to prevent the breast cancer even from developing, which the mainstream media hardly reports.

About six studies stated that the risk of breast cancer can be lowered by eating an apple a day. Several reports have also confirmed the fact that cruciferous vegetables like broccoli can be very helpful in fighting this disease. The name of another natural substance has also been added to the same list. Recent discoveries state that the probability of getting a breast cancer can be reduced to one third by having fish oil along with the diet.

A research team conducted a study with 35,016 women in postmenopausal stage having no history of breast cancer, between the ages of 50 to 76 at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, Washington. These women were also a part of Vitamins and Lifestyle cohort study. The use of supplements besides vitamins and/or minerals by these women was recorded through a 24 page questionnaire. The investigation was recently published in a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, named Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

After following up for six months, 880 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed among these women. Besides this, an interesting finding was also reported about fish oil. 32 percent reduced risk of the most common type of breast cancer, called invasive ductal breast cancer, was reported in the women who were regularly taking fish oil supplements having high amount of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. However, in case of other supplements which are taken for relieving menopausal symptoms like the dong quai and herbs black cohosh, no effect in augmenting or reducing the risk of this disease was observed.

In addition to fighting with breast cancer, fish oil also provides some prominent health benefits. Current findings suggest that mental illness can be prevented by taking fish oil. According to a research study published in the European Heart Journal, the common problem of heart failure among men can be prevented by taking fatty fish and consuming the best fish oil supplements having high content of marine omega-3 fatty acids.

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