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The association of fatty acids with prostate cancer risk
Author(s) -
Newcomer Laura M.,
King Irena B.,
Wicklund Kristine G.,
Stanford Janet L.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the prostate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.295
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1097-0045
pISSN - 0270-4137
DOI - 10.1002/pros.1070
Subject(s) - prostate cancer , prostate , linoleic acid , quartile , medicine , endocrinology , cancer , omega 3 fatty acid , population , fatty acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , physiology , biochemistry , biology , docosahexaenoic acid , confidence interval , environmental health
BACKGROUND Animal studies indicate that omega‐6 fatty acids promote and omega‐3 fatty acids inhibit tumor development. This pilot study was designed to evaluate whether these fatty acids are associated with human prostate cancer. METHODS Levels of erythrocyte membrane omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids were determined for 67 incident prostate cancer cases and 156 population‐based controls. RESULTS Prostate cancer risk was increased in the highest compared to the lowest quartile of α‐linolenic acid (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.1–5.8, trend P = 0.01). Positive associations were also observed with higher levels of linoleic acid (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 0.9–4.8) and total omega‐6 fatty acids (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.0–5.4). CONCLUSIONS Results are consistent with other studies showing that linoleic and total omega‐6 fatty acids increase risk of prostate cancer. Contrary to animal studies, α‐linolenic acid was also positively associated with risk. Further research will be required to clarify the role of these fatty acids in human prostate cancer. Prostate 47:262–268, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.