Feasibility of Investigational Procedures and Efficacy of a Personalized Omega-3 Dietary Intervention in Alleviating Pain and Psychoneurological Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors

BackgroundBreast cancer survivors (BCS) are at risk for psychoneurological symptoms (PNS) and inflammation for years following cancer treatment. Fish, particularly salmon, provides a rich source of omega-3 long chain fatty acids (omega-3LC), which has an anti-inflammatory effect. However, the benefit of omega-3LC on PNS is not well-known.AimsThis study evaluated the feasibility and the initial efficacy of a personalized meal plan with dietary omega-3LC in reducing PNS.MethodsA prospective, randomized controlled trial design (n = 46) was used to evaluate the feasibility of a personalized meal plan using two omega-3LC dose levels (high and low omega-3LC) in reducing PNS including pain, depression, fatigue, sleep, and stress.ResultsThe recruitment rate was 4.9% with overall retention rate of 74% and 67.1% adherence to personalized meal plan and dietary procedures. Of participants who completed the investigation, 94% completed fish adherence logs and consumed ≥70% of the assigned quantity of fish. Saliva collection was 97.8% at baseline and 100% at follow-up. BCS in the high omega-3LC group had a significant decrease in pain (p < .01), perceived stress (p < .05), sleep (p < .001), depression (p < .001), and fatigue (p < .01) over the course of intervention. There were trends of PNS improvement in the low omega-3LC group but the differences did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionOur results support the feasibility of our investigational design, procedures, and intervention. The outcomes provide preliminary support for an expanded research effort using fish as a source of omega-3LC and personalized dietary planning as a vehicle for symptom self-management in BCS.