• Omega-3 fatty acids for breast cancer prevention and survivorship
  • Aidin Amini Sefidab,1 Ali Rezaeian,2 Zahra Amirkhani,3,*
    1. Student Research Committee, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran
    2. Student Research Committee, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran
    3. Student Research Committee, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran


  • Introduction: Breast cancer is a kind of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the breast tissue. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. The use of ω-3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been shown to minimize chemotherapy side effects and improve progression-free survival as well as the overall survival of patients with breast cancer.
  • Methods: In this study, 10 articles published from 2020 to 2024, which were in the form of quantitative studies, original research and systematic review were examined. Entry criteria included: Availability of full text and articles published between 2020 and 2024, and exit criteria included: Case report studies. The study used the keywords: Omega-3 fatty acids, breast cancer, prevention.
  • Results: The exact cause of most breast cancers isn't known. Researchers have found things that increase the risk of breast cancer. These include hormones, lifestyle choices and things in the environment. If increasing EPA and DHA relative to arachidonic acid is effective in reducing breast cancer risk, likely mechanisms include reduction in pro inflammatory lipid derivatives, inhibition of nuclear factor-κB-induced cytokine production, and decreased growth factor receptor signaling as a result of alteration in membrane lipid rafts. EPA and DHA supplementation is also being explored in an effort to help prevent or alleviate common problems after a breast cancer diagnosis, including cardiac and cognitive dysfunction and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
  • Conclusion: The insulin-sensitizing and anabolic properties of EPA and DHA also suggest supplementation studies to determine whether these omega-3 fatty acids might reduce chemotherapy-associated loss of muscle mass and weight gain. We will briefly review relevant omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, and early investigations in breast cancer prevention and survivorship.
  • Keywords: Omega-3 fatty acids, breast cancer, prevention