Positive Health Online

Abstract

ENGESETand others, Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromso, Tromso, Norway, have studied the consumption of fish and the risk of breast cancer.   

Background

Some studies have suggested an inhibitory effect of n-3 fatty acids derived from fish on breast cancer growth, but the results from epidemiological studies that have examined the association between fish consumption and breast cancer risk in humans are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to clarify the link.

Methodology

Fish consumption and breast cancer risk were measured in 310,671 women aged between 25 and 70 years in the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). The participants completed a dietary questionnaire between 1992-98 and were followed up for incidence of breast cancer for a median of 6.4 years. Hazard ratio for breast cancer by intake of total and lean and fatty fish were estimated and adjusted for established breast cancer risk factors.

Results

During follow-up, 4,776 incident breast cancers were reported. No significant associations between intake of total fish and breast cancer risk were observed. When examining lean and fatty fish separately, there was a positive significant association only in the highest quintile for fatty fish (odds ration 1.13), but the trend was not significant (p = 0.10).

Conclusion

These results provide no evidence for an association between fish intake and breast cancer risk.

References

Engeset D et al. Fish consumption and breast cancer risk. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). International Journal of Cancer 119 (1): 175-182, Jul 1, 2006.