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CHICAGO (Reuters) - The fatty acids found in some fish may help combat heart disease but there is no strong evidence they prevent cancer as some research has suggested, a study said on Tuesday.

Researchers at RAND Health and the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System said they reached the conclusion after reviewing 38 studies published between 1966 and 2005 on omega-3 fatty acids, found in some fish and certain vegetables and sold as dietary supplements.

"Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have beneficial health effects, particularly reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease," said RAND's Catherine MacLean, chief author of the report. "We found cancer prevention isn't one of the health benefits."

She said there had been a few studies that showed reduced risk of cancer from consuming the fatty acids. "But we found even more studies that showed no decrease in cancer risk and even a few that suggested a higher risk. Our conclusion is that there is no relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and lower rates of any types of cancer."

The study was published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association.



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