Cancer risk could be slashed by taking this 16p pill once a day

A daily supplement costing just 16p could potentially lower your risk of various types of cancer, according to a recent study. Research found that individuals with higher levels of two specific fatty acids were less likely to develop 17 different forms of the disease.

Published in the International Journal of Cancer, the study revealed that both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids could decrease your chances of getting cancer. Yuchen Zhang, the lead researcher from the University of Georgia, stated: "These findings suggest that the average person should focus on getting more of these fatty acids in their diets."

The study involved analysing data from over 250,000 people in the UK, who were tracked for more than a decade. During this period, nearly 30,000 participants were diagnosed with some form of cancer. It was found that those with higher levels of omega-3s had lower rates of colon, stomach, lung and other digestive tract cancers.

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Similarly, individuals with elevated omega-6 levels had a reduced risk of 14 different types of cancer, including brain, skin, bladder, among others. Omega-3s and omega-6s, often referred to as "healthy fats", are essential for the body's proper functioning.

They can be found in foods such as fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and certain plant oils. These can also be consumed in supplement form, with Holland & Barrett offering a combined omega-3 and omega-6 pill at £18.99 for 120, which equates to 16p per pill.

The research indicated that the cancer warding properties of certain nutrients seem to persist regardless of other lifestyle choices, such as body weight, alcohol consumption, or physical activity. But the study came with warnings – notably, an association between high omega-3 levels and a slight increase in prostate cancer risk for men, while the beneficial effects of omega-6 seemed more pronounced in younger individuals, particularly women.

"For women, it’s an easy decision: Eat more omega-3," asserted Kaixiong Ye, a corresponding author of the study. He also emphasised the need for personalised medical advice when considering fish oil supplements, advising people to seek their doctor's opinion.

The researchers speculate that these fatty acids may exert their influence by managing inflammation and cell proliferation, but concede that further studies are required to clarify the exact processes involved. This comes against a backdrop of existing studies highlighting omega-3's potential in reducing cholesterol and the risk of heart disease, as well as staving off dementia.