Prevention: Fish Helps Reduce Risk of Polyps in Women
Rating
Prevention: Fish Helps Reduce Risk of Polyps in Women
Criteria
Not Applicable
Not applicable. The cost of fish in the diet is not in question.
Not Satisfactory
The language matters.
The story states: “The researchers found no effect in men, and no effect of omega-3 consumption on hyperplastic polyps.” (emphasis added)
Observational studies can’t prove cause and effect, so language like this just confuses the communication of the findings.
Not Applicable
Not applicable. The harms of fish in the diet are not really in question, although some research has raised concerns about possible toxic effects of mercury found in some species.
Not Satisfactory
Not one word about the limitations of drawing conclusions from observational studies.
Not Applicable
Not applicable. In 223 words, there really wasn’t much meaningful background given at all about colon polyps.
Not Satisfactory
No independent source was quoted.
Not Satisfactory
The story didn’t discuss any other research in the field of colon polyp risk reduction – or even what other observational studies may have suggested about other strong associations. And there was nothing on whether these results apply to fish oil supplements, which is how many people get their omega-3s instead of eating fish.
Not Applicable
Availability of fish is not currently in question, although its future availability has been questioned considering the rate we are overharvesting wild stocks. Stories that don’t critically evaluate these kinds of studies might conceivably contribute to the problem.
Satisfactory
The story at least provided one line of context about past research in this field: “Animal studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may have anti-cancer effects, but the results from human epidemiological studies have been inconclusive.”
Satisfactory
It does not appear that the story relied on a news release. We couldn’t find one from the Journal. And the news release from Vanderbilt was actually far more complete than the NY Times story.
Total Score: 2 of 6 Satisfactory
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