Monday May 19, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- Taking omega-3 fatty acids as dietary supplements may help prevent prostate cancer progression in patients with low-risk prostate cancer, according to a study recently published in Cancer Prevention Research.

Vincent Fradet from Laval University in Quebec, Canada and colleagues conducted the study and found risk of prostate cancer progression lower in patients who had higher eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels in the prostate issue.

The correlation between omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids and prostate cancer (PCa) has been studied in the past.  The current study found an association between higher omega-3 fatty acids in the prostate gland and reduced risk of prostate cancer progression.

The study was based on data from 48 men who were untreated for their low-risk prostate cancers.  Within six months of diagnosis of low-risk prostate cancer, all men underwent a first repeat biopsy session and the disease had progressed from a Gleason score of 6 to a Gleason score 7 in 29% of the men.

For all men, at the time of biopsy, fatty acid intakes were estimated using data from a food frequency questionnaire, and levels of omega-3 fatty acids were determined in the red blood cells and in the prostate tissue. 

One type of omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as measured directly in the prostate tissue was found associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer progression.

The researchers concluded "this initial interim study analysis suggests that prostate tissue ω-3 fatty acids, especially EPA, may be protective against PCa (Prostate cancer) progression in men with low-risk PCa (Prostate cancer)."  (David Liu)

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