Fatty fish axes women’s kidney cancer risk

Here’s good news for fish eaters…! Especially for women…!

Consumption of fatty fish, which are full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, may reduce women’s risk of kidney cancer, according to a new Swedish research published in the Sep. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Alicja Wolk, DMSc, of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and colleagues studied more than 15 years of data from the Swedish Mammography Cohort, a study that started in 1987 when more than 90,000 women were offered a free mammogram.

They questioned the study subjects about their diet, drinking habits, weight, height and education. The researchers received detailed information on 61,433 women aged 40 to 76, who had not received a cancer diagnosis before the study started.

The gigantic Swedish study of women looked at fatty and lean fish consumption and the risk of kidney cancer. After observing the data, the researchers discovered that the women who consumed high amounts of fatty fish, more than one serving a week, had 44 percent to 74 percent lower risk for developing renal cell carcinoma (the most common type of kidney cancer) compared to those who ate no fish, however, they found no association with lean fish or other seafood consumption.

"Our study suggests that consumption of fatty fish may reduce the occurrence of kidney cancer in women," researchers added. "In contrast, consumption of lean fish or other seafood was not associated with the risk of kidney cancer."

“Women who reported consistent long-term consumption of fatty fish at baseline and 10 years later had a statistically significant 74 percent lower risk," the researchers wrote.

Under the study, Fatty fish included salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel; lean fish included cod, tuna and fresh water fish; and seafood included shrimp, lobster and crayfish.

Researchers said that all types of fish don't protect against cancer, and they speculate that the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D in fish oil help protect against cancer. However, scientists are not sure yet whether consuming fish oil or vitamin D supplements would have the same effect.

Further research might answer that question. Scientists also anticipate that more studies will strengthen the link between eating fatty fish and preventing kidney cancer. “Our results require confirmation because this is the first epidemiological study addressing this issue, researchers say.