• Can omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids affect health outcomes in women with breast cancer? A systematic review
  • Ali Khazen,1,* Mohammad Amin Mohammadi Dehnavaki,2 Kimia Ghaedi,3
    1. Student Research Committee, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.
    2. Student Research Committee, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.
    3. Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.


  • Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer in women and ranks fifth in cancer-related deaths. In 2020, approximately 2.3 million new BC cases and 658,000 BC-related deaths were reported. BC is a complex disease influenced by several factors including genetics, family history of BC, previous ovarian cancer, lifestyle, marital status, and late menopause. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) are an effective adjunctive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of breast cancer. The administration of ω-3 PUFAs, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been found to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy and enhance progression-free survival as well as overall survival in breast cancer patients. However, the findings are conflicting and appear inconsistent.
  • Methods: A search was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to August 2023. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the association between omega-3 fatty acid intake and health outcomes in women with breast cancer were included.
  • Results: After the application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, a final sample of 11 articles were included for this review. TG, CRP, total leukocytes, lymphocytes, leptin, adiponectin, and omega-6:omega-3 ratio decreased in the intervention group compared to the placebo counterparts. However, there was no difference observed in the serum lipid profile and serum albumin compared to the placebo group.
  • Conclusion: In conclusion, supplementation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) may have a positive impact on the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, leading to improvements in physical and mental health as well as reductions in inflammation and metabolic issues. Further research regarding the effect of omega-3 FAs on health outcomes in BC patients under chemotherapy is suggested.
  • Keywords: Breast cancer, DHA, EPA