Higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of breast cancer, a 2022 study found. Women with the highest omega-3 intake were as much as 49 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those with the lowest intake.

Researchers conducted a study that included more than 3,200 women, roughly half of whom had breast cancer. The women provided information about what they typically ate, including foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and whether they were pre- or postmenopausal.

The researchers found that a higher intake of omega-3 in the form of alpha-linolenic acid reduced breast cancer risk by 49 percent; a higher intake in the form of eicosapentaenoic acid reduced risk by 32 percent. The links between omega-3s and breast cancer risk were strongest among premenopausal women and women with hormone-sensitive tumors. Interestingly, higher omega-3 intake markedly reduced the risk of breast cancer among women who had obesity or overweight but not among those who had healthy weights.

These findings suggest that omega-3s reduce the risk of breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including breast cancer. Learn how omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in this clip featuring Dr. Bill Harris.

• Read study abstract.