efficacy and safety of omega 3 fatty acid supplements on heavy smokers

Conditions: Lung Cancer

Summary: the study duration is 12 months. the initial enrollment visit will take approximately one hour. the month 1, 3, 6, 7, 9 and 12 visits will take approximately 30 minutes each. the three telephone visits will take approximately 10 minutes each. the total time commitment to the study will be approximately four and a half hours.

the table below explains what will be done at each study visit: prior to pre-registration informed consent. questionnaire (asking about your risks for lung cancer, diet and medications including food supplement). blood test for crp level prior to registration/randomization blood test for crp level (about 6 ml or 1 teaspoon) pregnancy test (either blood or urine, for woman with childbearing potential only) registration/randomization medical history physical exam (vital signs/body height and weight) receive 3 month supply of omega 3 fatty acids for treatment first group. blood tests for fasting blood insulin, etc (about 15 ml or 3 teaspoons) receive a diary to record the amount of study medication you take each day and any side effects you may experience week 2 telephone interview ask about side effects you may be having ask about other medications you may be taking review study agent diary month 1 visit (you will not be able to eat anything for 10 hours before the appointment) blood test for fasting blood insulin, etc (15 ml or 3 teaspoons) -( all participants) treatment group: ask about side effects you may be having ask about other medications you may be taking review study medication diary month 2, 4, and 5 telephone interview review diary ask about side effects you may be having ask about other medications you may be taking month 3 visit (you will not be able to eat anything for 10 hours before the appointment) physical exam with vital signs repeat blood tests (about 15 ml or 3 teaspoons) (all participants) treatment group: collect unused omega 3 (for treatment group) receive next 3 month supply of omega 3 (for treatment group) review study medication diary ask about side effects you may be experiencing ask about other medications you may be taking month 6 or end of study visit (if left study early for any reason) physical exam with vital signs blood tests (about 15 ml or 3 teaspoons) - all participants treatment group: review and collect study agent diary ask about side effects you may be having ask about other medications you may be taking month 7-12 cross over study treatment group will become observation group observation group will become treatment group with the same procedures in month 1 to 6

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * are between the ages of 55 and 80 years * are a current or former smoker with a 30 pack-year (e.g. one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years) smoking history or * have a greater than 1.51% chance of developing lung cancer in the next six years based on the investigator's risk prediction tool * have elevation of a marker of inflammation called c-reactive protein (crp) * are capable of providing informed consent to participate in the study exclusion criteria: * have been previously diagnosed with lung cancer * have had other non-curatively treated cancer outside the lung. * have any medical condition, such as severe heart disease (e.g. unstable angina, chronic congestive heart failure), acute or chronic respiratory failure, home oxygen therapy, bleeding disorder, that in the opinion of the investigator could jeopardize your safety during participation in the study or unlikely to benefit from screening due to shortened life-expectancy from the co-existing illnesses * are currently taking omega 3 fatty acid supplements

Keywords: omega 3 crp