A recent clinical trial has offered encouraging results for men with early-stage prostate cancer who are on active surveillance, a management approach that involves monitoring the disease instead of immediate treatment. The study investigated the effects of a high omega-3, low omega-6 fatty acid diet supplemented with fish oil capsules on tumor cell proliferation.

The randomized controlled trial, as described in the source, involved 100 men with low-grade (grade group 1 or 2) prostate cancer. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which followed the specialized diet and took fish oil capsules (D + FO), or a control group. Researchers compared changes in the Ki-67 index, a biomarker for cancer cell growth and aggressiveness, between the two groups over a one-year period.

The results demonstrated a statistically significant difference in Ki-67 index changes between the groups. The D + FO group experienced a reduction in Ki-67 by approximately 15% from baseline to one year. In contrast, the control group showed an increase of approximately 24% over the same period. This suggests that the dietary intervention may have effectively slowed down the rate of cancer cell proliferation.
While the study did not find significant differences in other secondary outcomes, such as tumor grade, length, or prostate-specific antigen levels, the impact on Ki-67 is noteworthy. The Ki-67 index is an important prognostic factor in prostate cancer, and its reduction could potentially translate into a lower risk of disease progression, metastasis, and even death.

These promising findings support the need for larger-scale Phase III trials to further validate the benefits of this dietary approach for men on active surveillance for prostate cancer. The results highlight the potential of lifestyle modifications as a complementary strategy in managing this common malignancy.

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