Life Extension Newsletter
Life Extension Newsletter
Omega-3 Linked With Lower Mortality Risk in Cancer Survivors
Consuming a higher amount of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a lower risk of mortality from all causes during follow-up of a study of adults who survived cancer.
"Those who have survived cancer are at an elevated risk of dying from any cause when compared to the general population, with cardiovascular disease and secondary malignancies as the leading causes of death," authors Wentao Zang and colleagues at Zhengzhou University noted. "Among modifiable lifestyle factors, changes in diet—especially increased intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)—have been recognized as a potential approach for improving health outcomes."
During a median 81-month follow-up period, 1,776 deaths occurred. Each gram per day of omega-3 fatty acid intake was associated with a 6% decrease in the risk of mortality from all causes. Men and women whose intake was among the top 25% of individuals in the study had an adjusted 24% lower risk of mortality during follow-up than those whose intake was among the lowest 25%.
A significant association between greater omega-3 intake and lower mortality risk during follow-up was observed between individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher, which is categorized as overweight or obese. Zang and associates remarked that overweight and obesity are characterized by chronic inflammation and unhealthy lipid levels that may be improved by omega-3 intake.
"Our findings demonstrated that increased omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake was associated with reduced all-cause mortality among cancer survivors, which aligns with prior evidence in general populations," they concluded. "These findings suggest the importance of incorporating nutritional strategies into comprehensive survivorship care and indicate the need for more research to develop dietary guidelines for this vulnerable group."
The study included information from 4,836 adult self-reported cancer survivors enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018. Dietary questionnaires completed by men and women included in the current study provided information concerning the intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The findings were reported in the May 2026 issue of Nutrition Research.1
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Apply What You’ve Learned: Surviving Cancer
- In January of 2026, the American Cancer Society's annual report revealed that the percentage of individuals who were alive five years or more following a cancer diagnosis is higher than ever. Among people diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. from 2014–2020, the five-year relative survival rate was 69%. ("Relative survival is a measure of life expectancy among cancer patients compared to that among the general population of the same age, race, and sex.")2
- Specific nutrients have been linked with improved cancer survival. In one investigation, the highest serum selenium levels were linked with significantly greater odds of ten-year survival among women with breast cancer in comparison with the lowest levels.3 In another study involving breast cancer patients, women who had sufficient serum levels of vitamin D had a 24% lower risk of all-cause mortality during a median 12.2-year follow-up period compared with those who were deficient in the vitamin.4
- Probiotics, including Lactobacillus species, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus faecalis and butyric acid bacteria, have shown promise in improving survival outcomes in cancer patients who received immunotherapy drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. A meta-analysis of 13 studies that evaluated probiotics' effects revealed a 42% lower risk of mortality during follow-up among patients who used probiotics compared with those who did not.5
- The hormone melatonin has also been shown to improve cancer survival rates. A meta-analysis of 21 clinical trials that evaluated the effects of adding melatonin to conventional cancer therapies that included chemotherapy, radiation, supportive care and palliative care in the treatment of solid tumors found a 37% reduction in one-year mortality and improved outcomes in people treated with the hormone compared with individuals who did not receive melatonin.6
References
- Zang W, Li L, Zhao X, et al. Higher dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake is associated with reduced all-cause mortality in cancer survivors: A prospective cohort study. Nutr Res. 2026 May:149:1-12.
- Cancer Facts & Figures 2025. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2025/2025-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf Accessed 2026 May 27.
- Szwiec M, Mariniak W, Derkacz R, et al. Serum selenium level predicts 10-year survival after breast cancer. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 16;13(3):953.
- Yao S, Chua AV, Sheng H, et al. Clinically sufficient vitamin D levels with survival and cardiovascular outcomes in a prospective cohort of 3,995 individuals diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2026 Mar 30;24(4):e257111.
- Zhao S, Lu Z, Zhao F, et al. Assessing the impact of probiotics on immunotherapy effectiveness and antibiotic-mediated resistance in cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Immunol. 2025 Mar 21:16:1538969.
- Seely D, Wu P, Fritz H, et al. Melatonin as adjuvant cancer care with and without chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Integr Cancer Ther. 2012 Dec;11(4):293-303.
Related Life Extension Magazine® Articles
Probiotics Improve Survival During Cancer Treatment
A recent study found that cancer patients on a common class of immunotherapy drugs who took probiotics had prolonged progression-free survival. The probiotic group was 42% less likely to die during follow-up.
Melatonin: Potential Anti-Cancer Effects
Studies show that melatonin, when used with standard cancer treatment, improves tumor regression and survival rates while reducing chemo side effects.
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