The traditional diet of Greece and cancer.

[R.B.]

More general advice on the importance of the Omega 3:6 ratio



http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3987049/


Helping women to good health: breast cancer, omega-3/omega-6 lipids, and related lifestyle factors
Michel de Lorgerilcorresponding author1 and Patricia Salen1
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Abstract

In addition to genetic predisposition and sex hormone exposure, physical activity and a healthy diet play important roles in breast cancer (BC). Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3) associated with decreased omega-6 (n-6), resulting in a higher n-3/n-6 ratio compared with the western diet, are inversely associated with BC risk, as shown by Yang et al. in their meta-analysis in BMC Cancer. High consumption of polyphenols and organic foods increase the n-3/n-6 ratio, and in turn may decrease BC risk. Intake of high fiber foods and foods with low glycemic index decreases insulin resistance and diabetes risk, and in turn may decrease BC risk. The modernized Mediterranean diet is an effective strategy for combining these recommendations, and this dietary pattern reduces overall cancer risk and specifically BC risk. High-risk women should also eliminate environmental endocrine disruptors, including those from foods. Drugs that decrease the n-3/n-6 ratio or that are suspected of increasing BC or diabetes risk should be used with great caution by high-risk women and women wishing to decrease their BC risk.

Please see related article: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/14/105/abstract.

[R.B.]

And from the same authors the following heads up. I have not looked into statins in any detail so cannot meaningfully comment. There are suggestions that statins both increase and reduce cancer risk


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24903828

BMC Med. 2014 Jun 5;12(1):94. doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-12-94.
Do statins increase and Mediterranean diet decrease the risk of breast cancer?
de Lorgeril M1, Salen P.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:

Physical exercise and healthy dietary habits are recommended to prevent breast cancer.
DISCUSSION:

Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids associated with decreased omega-6 - resulting in higher omega-3 to omega-6 ratio compared with Western-type diet - is inversely associated with breast cancer risk. The modernized Mediterranean diet with high omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, high fiber and polyphenol intake, and consumption of low-glycemic index foods reduces overall cancer risk and specifically breast cancer risk. It has been suggested that consuming no more than one alcoholic drink per day, preferably wine, is preferable. Eliminating environmental contaminants, including endocrine disruptors, and favoring organic foods to increase polyphenol intake and the omega-3 to omega-6 ratios were also shown to be beneficial. Cholesterol-lowering statins may decrease antitumor defenses; are toxic for the mitochondria; decrease the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio; increase body mass index, insulin resistance and diabetic risk; and have been associated with an increased breast cancer risk.
SUMMARY:

Therefore, as well as making lifestyle changes to decrease breast cancer risk, we argue that physicians should carefully consider (and often avoid) therapies that may increase breast cancer or diabetes risk in high-risk women and women who wish to decrease their breast cancer risk