can fish oil be carcinogenic to the breast?

[Laurie252]

Has anyone heard about the recent study saying fish oil supplementation is linked to high-grade prostate cancer? Does anyone know if that has implications for breast cancer?

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

The latest report from a major study that I've seen (June 2013, BMJ) stated that marine omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (but not other types of omega 3s) had a protective effect against breast cancer.

This was a meta-analysis of 21 prospective studies, involving over 900,000 women.

So I'd say you were safe, and might even benefit from using this type of supplement. (At least until there's a major shift in opinion from another huge scientific study, which could happen in the future, as japdip mentioned.)

Best wishes,
bluebutterfly

[japdip]

As far as I know there are no studies that would indicate this. As with any medication or supplement one has to weigh the benefits and risks. I find that very often a substance will be VERY GOOD for you and before you know it, the same substance will be VERY BAD for you. This even applies to certain foods and I feel that it takes many, many years of investigation before such claims should be made. WE are quite different than mice ! Even Mammograms are considered a risk for developing Breast Cancer and they are the prime method of discovery of the disease. Regards ....