Prostate cancer and fish oil study under fire

It’s likely that you saw last week’s news headlines about a recent study finding that fish oil, specifically Omega-3 fatty acids naturally found in salmon, flaxseed and other foods, is linked to a increase in prostate cancer.  As you might imagine, the headlines drew national, even global, media attention, leaving the medical community in a bit of a spin.

This week, the study that made news headlines last week is facing real scrutiny, as its findings go against everything previously known to be true about fish oil actually reducing the likelihood of many cancers.  Multiple studies have found fish oil to be beneficial in preventing cancer, including those performed by the University of California San Francisco, and the Harvard School of Public Health.

As with other studies that have raised eyebrows, experts recommend consulting multiple reputable sources for online medical information, rather than making personal health decisions based on a single article or study. Perhaps this is a great example of both the benefits and drawbacks of having millions of pages of online health information at our fingertips.  While we have access to on demand health information, we also must be informed consumers of that information.

This post was brought to you via UroSciences, makers of the UroStop device for preventing climacturia (urine leakage during sex), and the P.D.A.D. assessment tool for Peyronie’s disease.

Follow our Twitter feed for more prostate cancer news and updates to this ongoing story.

 

 

Tags: , , , , , ,