From Ananova

www.ananova.com

Researchers say eating fatty fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel can lead to a three-fold reduction in the risk of prostate cancer.

A study of more than 6,000 Swedish men more than 30 years old found that if they ate fish had a big impact on their chances of suffering the disease.

Men who ate no fish had a two-fold to three-fold higher risk of prostate cancer than those who ate moderate or high amounts.

Fatty fish, like those traditionally eaten in Scandinavia, contain essential fatty acids like omega-3 which have previously been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.

The study, published in the Lancet medical journal, monitored the men between 1967 and 1997.

During that time there were 466 diagnoses of prostate cancer, of which 340 were fatal.

Paul Terry, from the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, who led the research, said: "Our study was done in Sweden, a country with traditionally high consumption of fatty fish from northern cold waters, which contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

"Since few dietary and other modifiable factors seem to be associated with lower risk of prostate cancer, our results may indicate an important means by which this disease might be prevented."

One in 13 men in the UK will get prostate cancer. The disease affects about 20,000 men each year, killing half.

Dr John Toy, medical director at Imperial Cancer Research Fund, said: "It is vital that both men and women eat a healthy, balanced diet as it can help reduce the risk of cancer and other serious diseases. Imperial Cancer estimates that about 35% of all cancers may be preventable by changing our diet."

Story filed: 02:47 Friday 1st June 2001