April 08/Hershey, Pa./Fish Information & Services -- Researchers have found that omega-3 fatty acids could safely bolster tamoxifen therapy for women suffering from breast cancer. Omega-3s seemed to have a beneficial effect at the genetic level, making tumors more susceptible to the medication.
A research team led by Dr. Andrea Manni of Pennsylvania State University conducted an experiment on rats by provoking mammary tumors and then dividing the rats into four groups. For a period of eight weeks, the researchers fed the rats a 17% fish oil diet, with or without tamoxifen, or a 20% corn oil diet, with or without tamoxifen.