Typically, medical interventions like chemotherapy and radiation are used as a bulwark against cancer, but what you eat in a day can play more of a role than you would think in fighting this common disease. Specifically with prostate and breast cancer, certain additions to a healthy diet can provide boosts to either prevention, continued efforts against the growth of cancer, or post-cancer health.
Some recent research studies, available on the Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) website, looked in depth on how incorporating Omega-3 fatty acids into a diet can be useful against cancer. Omega-3s are essential fats that support heart and brain health and are found in fatty fish such as salmon, trout, sardines and tuna. Due to providing these anti-inflammatory properties, its use against cancer is scientifically intriguing.
One article, titled “Feasibility of Investigational Procedures and Efficacy of a Personalized Omega-3 Dietary Intervention in Alleviating Pain and Psychoneurological Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors,” discusses how breast cancer patients sometimes struggle with psychoneurological symptoms (PNS) after treatment and deal with high inflammation. Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory. By correlating the two together, researchers from University of Connecticut conducted a study which showed that a diet of high Omega-3s in breast cancer survivors can have a “significant decrease in pain, perceived stress, sleep, depression, and fatigue over the course of intervention.”
Similarly, in another study by the University of Connecticut, titled “Dietary Consumption Patterns in Breast Cancer Survivors: Pilot Evaluation of Diet, Supplements, and Clinical Factors,” the aim was to evaluate dietary quality in a cohort of breast cancer survivors. In this study, results found that many women are not meeting recommended dietary guidelines. Yet the results also indicated that by incorporating a high amount of Omega-3s, including in supplements, it promoted better nutritional consumption patterns and improved overall health during survivorship after cancer.
Both studies point to the impact Omega-3s can have on the body. Increased consumption of Omega-3s can be an aid against the sometimes obstructive aftereffects of battling breast cancer. Eating more seafood is a good step to take on the road to full recovery.
Men can also experience positive effects from a diet of Omega-3s. Dr. William Aronson, at UCLA, spends time researching how Omega-3s can delay the progression of prostate cancer. His continued efforts are reflected in two research papers: “Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Diet on Prostate Cancer Progression and Cholesterol Efflux in Tumor Associated Macrophages” and “High Omega-3, Low Omega-6 Diet with Fish Oil for Men with Prostate Cancer on Active Surveillance.” Preclinical and clinical translational research supports the role of an Omega-3 fatty acid diet for prostate cancer prevention and treatment, according to the study.
In this study, men on active surveillance for prostate cancer were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a control group or a group on the high Omega-3 diet. After one year, they were evaluated to observe the change of the Ki-67 index which is a protein marker for cancer growth. A high amount of Ki-67 in the body suggests a higher rate of progression of prostate cancer. An increased intake of fish and other foods high in Omega-3s, with a lowered intake of Omega-6s, such as corn oil, safflower oil, and fried foods, showed a decrease in the biomarker Ki-67, which is positive.
Overall, whether someone has breast cancer, prostate cancer, or just looking to eat healthier, eating more foods high in Omega-3s should be encouraged. Dr. Aronson is continuing to study these effects and other researchers are too, as delaying cancer progression and reducing inflammation in the human body are top goals many have in the fight against cancer. People with prostate or breast cancer can benefit from these findings and with a simple change to certain aspects of their diet may find many encouraging outcomes.
By Maia LeClair, SIRF intern