Omega 3 Fatty Acids Decrease Prostate Cancer

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has provided compelling evidence that dietary modifications may play a significant role in managing prostate cancer progression. The research, titled “High Omega-3, Low Omega-6 Diet With Fish Oil for Men With Prostate Cancer on Active Surveillance: The CAPFISH-3 Randomized Clinical Trial,” explored the effects of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in omega-6 fatty acids, supplemented with fish oil, on men undergoing active surveillance for early-stage prostate cancer. 

The CAPFISH-3 trial included 100 men with low-risk or favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer who chose active surveillance over immediate treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to either continue their regular diet or adopt a high omega-3, low omega-6 diet supplemented with fish oil capsules for one year. The primary endpoint was the change in the Ki-67 index, a biomarker indicating the proliferation rate of cancer cells, measured from baseline to one year. 

Results demonstrated a significant reduction in the Ki-67 index among participants adhering to the dietary intervention. Specifically, the Ki-67 index decreased by approximately 15% in the intervention group, from 1.34% at baseline to 1.14% after one year. In contrast, the control group experienced a 24% increase in the Ki-67 index, from 1.23% at baseline to 1.52% at one year. This significant difference suggests that the dietary changes may help slow cancer growth, potentially delaying or even preventing the need for more aggressive treatments. 

Lead author Dr. William J. Aronson, Professor of Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, “Many men are interested in lifestyle changes, including diet, to help manage their cancer and prevent the progression of their disease. Our findings suggest that something as simple as adjusting your diet could potentially slow cancer growth and extend the time before more aggressive interventions are needed.” 

While the study did not observe significant differences in secondary outcomes such as grade group, tumor length, Decipher genomic score, or prostate-specific antigen levels between the two groups, the reduction in the Ki-67 index is a promising indicator of the potential benefits of dietary intervention. The researchers caution that further studies are necessary to confirm the long-term benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and lowering omega-6 in managing prostate cancer. Nonetheless, these findings support future phase III trials incorporating this intervention in men on active surveillance. 

In conclusion, the CAPFISH-3 trial provides encouraging evidence that a high omega-3, low omega-6 diet supplemented with fish oil may slow prostate cancer progression in men opting for active surveillance. This dietary approach could offer a non-invasive strategy to manage cancer growth, potentially delaying the need for more aggressive treatments and improving patient outcomes.

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