Fish oil success in cancer prevention

Thursday March 18th, 2010

Purified fish oil may help prevent the development of bowel cancer in high risk people, researchers reveal today.

A study has found that taking the purified omega-3 oil helps people who are likely to develop large numbers of growths known as polyps - which can lead to cancer.

The findings come from a study of 55 people with a condition called familial adenomatous polyposis.

Researchers from St James University Hospital, Leeds, Yorkshire, UK, tested a new highly purified form of EPA - omega 3 oil, which is mainly found in fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring.

Some patients received a dummy oil and suffered a ten per cent increase in the number of polyps. Those who received the omega-3 oil enjoyed a 12 per cent cut in polyp numbers.

The size of the growths also reduced as a result of taking the EPA capsules, the researchers said.

Researcher Professor Mark Hull reports in the journal Gut: "As omega 3 poly-unsatured fatty acids in general are safe and even good for cardiovascular health, EPA could be especially suitable for older patients at risk of both bowel cancer and heart disease."

* A second expert today suggests hypnotism can help patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Professor Roland Valori, editor of a new journal Frontline Gastroenterology, reports on using the treatment with 100 patients.

He says it "significantly" improved symptoms in 90 per cent of cases - and 40 per cent enjoyed an end to problems.

Professor Valori, of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, says: "To be frank, I have never looked back."

Gut Online First doi 10.1136/gut.2009.200642

Tags: Diet & Food | Gastroenterology | Internal Medicine

Printer friendly page