Research has shown that omega 3 might help to prevent breast cancer and offers hope for new anti breast cancer drugs. Apparently, compounds found in omega 3 together with propofol (a strong anti oxidant) help to prevent the development of breast cells into malignant tumor cells and significantly reduce metastasis.
Propofol on its own showed an inhibition of cancer cell migration of ~ 5-10%, whereas used together with omega 3 (more correctly with EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA: docosahexaenoic acid) showed an inhibition of cell migration of up to 50%.
So, the compounds found in omega 3 together with propofol could help to develop new anti-cancer drugs.
Malignant cells divide and spread abnormally and they seem to loose their ability for apoptosis (programmed cell death for cells that get out of order). Cancer research tries to find ways to induce apoptosis in malignant cells (to induce cell death). EPA and DHA also seem to increase cell apoptosis which again makes them an interesting candidate for cancer treatment.
