Friday June 1 10:22 AM ET

Fatty Fish May Reduce Risk of Prostate Cancer

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men who regularly consume fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel may have a lower risk of prostate cancer, the results of a recent study suggest.

According to the report in the June 2nd issue of The Lancet, these men were up to three times less likely to develop prostate cancer over 30 years than men who did not eat fatty fish.

The researchers, led by Dr. Paul Terry from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, explain that compounds abundant in fish known as omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.

``Only fish high in omega-3 fatty acids are likely to lower the risk of prostate cancer,'' the researchers write.

Their study looked at more than 6,000 men in Sweden, half of whom were over 55 years when the study began in 1967. Participants answered a survey assessing their diet and lifestyle including smoking, drinking and exercise habits.

Results show that men who consumed fatty fish were more likely to exercise, eat fruit and vegetables and smoke, and less likely to eat red meat and processed meat.

But the link between fatty fish and lower risk of prostate cancer remained regardless of other factors.

Over the course of the study, 340 participants died of prostate cancer.

The findings support previous research showing that fatty fish have myriad health benefits, including lowering the risk of heart disease and protecting vision.

SOURCE: The Lancet 2001;357:1764-1766.

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