How Omega-3's May Help Breast Cancer Sufferers

How Omega-3's May Help Breast Cancer Sufferers

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements have an impressive list of possible health benefits. Not only do they lower the risk of heart disease, but they may prevent certain types of cancer – possibly due to their anti-inflammatory properties. One type of omega-3 called DHA may even be of benefit for women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Omega-3’s and Chemotherapy of Breast Cancer

According to a study published in the British Journal of Cancer, women who took a daily dose of DHA, an omega-3 found in fish oil, increased their breast cancer survival rate while undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy treatment. A group of twenty-five women with metastatic breast cancer were given 1.8 grams of the omega-3 DHA for two months to eight years in addition to their regular breast cancer chemotherapy treatment. The women continued to receive their regular chemotherapy for breast cancer while taking the DHA supplement.

DHA and Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Treatment

Did DHA affect their survival? The women who took the DHA omega-3 supplement survived an average of 22 months – and some survived significantly longer – despite having a poor prognosis. The women were only expected to survive for a little over a year – despite receiving breast cancer chemotherapy treatment. The breast cancer in most of these women had already metastized to the liver which carries with it a bad prognosis.

This study looking at DHA for women undergoing chemotherapy of breast cancer is small and more research is needed. If these results are supported by future studies, taking omega-3 supplements could be a safe and natural way to prolong survival of breast cancer patients who have cancer that has already spread to other parts of the body. In this study, none of the women experienced adverse side effects from the DHA.

Does DHA Prevent Breast Cancer?

Some studies have looked at the possibility that omega-3’s or a diet rich in fatty fish containing these fatty acids might lower breast cancer risk. While some of these studies have suggested a protective effect, the results have been mixed – so it’s too early to say.

How Does DHA Work?

Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA have an anti-inflammatory effect alter the production of certain types of hormone-like compounds which may play a role in the growth of breast tumors. One animal study showed that DHA makes chemotherapy for prostate cancer more effective.

DHA for Chemotherapy of Breast Cancer: The Bottom Line

More research is needed to determine if DHA is beneficial for women undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy treatment; but this relatively low dose of DHA appears to be safe for most women and doesn’t cause serious side effects. Always talk to your doctor before taking a DHA or a fish oil supplement – particularly if you’re undergoing chemotherapy.