Fish: Friend or Foe?

[Paleowoman]

I'm a fish and seafood lover and generally eat it at least 5-7 times per week. So I was a little concerned after reading the study below. :confused: Click on full text after you get to the link for the complete 6 page study. Thoughts?

Fish Intake Is Positively Associated with Breast Cancer Incidence Rate -- Stripp et al. 133 (11): 3664 -- Journal of Nutrition (http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/133/11/3664)

[mcsblues]

This 2006 review puts 'your' single study in context;

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/295/4/403

For breast cancer 1 significant estimate was for increased risk (incidence risk ratio [IRR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.98) and 3 were for decreased risk (RR, 0.68-0.72); 7 other estimates did not show a significant association.

[Paleowoman]

Thanks Malcolm. I realize that the proponderance of studies that are published show a purported benefit to consuming fish. But the Wall Street Journal
had a great piece recently on how all the prestige medical journals tend to publish the "positive" studies pertaining to the current darlings of the medical/science communities -- negative results in follow-up studies or negative studies in general are often refused publication.
Science Journal: New journals bet 'negative results' save time, money (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06261/722165-115.stm)

So what I am looking for is criticisms on how this particular study was conducted that could shed doubt on the results. On another forum -- someone pointed out that the study relied on questionares of people's eating habits over years -- not particularly reliable.

[mcsblues]

Well if we were to agree with that publishing bias, why were 7 out of eleven studies (75% if you include the review) accepted which showed no association at all? Its hardly a positive story that says this particular 'darling' is useless when it comes to protecting you from (in this case) breast cancer.

[Paleowoman]

:D OK -- I feel better -- especially since I just stocked up on shrimp and sardines -- big sale at our grocery store last weekend.