There is growing evidence that fish oil may play a role in preventing chronic disease with new research suggesting the supplements may lower the risk of breast cancer.

In a study of more than 35,000 postmenopausal women in the US, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers found that women who regularly took fish oil supplements were 32 per cent less likely than others to develop breast cancer over the next six years.

The effect was restricted to invasive duct breast cancer, the most common form.

The use of other supplements sometimes taken for menopausal symptoms, such as black cohosh, dong quai, soy, or St. John’s wort, was not associated with breast cancer risk.

The research is the first to demonstrate a link between the use of fish oil supplements and a reduction in breast cancer.

Despite the results the authors warned it is too early to recommend fish oil for individual use for breast cancer prevention.

“Without confirming studies specifically addressing this we should not draw any conclusions about a causal relationship,” they said.

American researchers are currently enrolling patients for the randomised Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial which will assess the impact of fish oil supplements and vitamin D on cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Source: Pharmacy News